Davie may not see snow this holiday season, but that doesn’t mean the town won’t celebrate.
During December, Davie is hosting several free holiday-themed events for the community, including a lighting ceremony, a snow play day, a concert and a tree, menorah and kinara decorating contest.
The December festivities will kick off with the 28th annual Holiday Lighting of the Greens on Dec. 3 from 6-8 p.m. at the Davie Town Hall on Orange Drive. At around 6:45 p.m., Davie mayor Judy Paul will flip a switch to turn on the thousands of lights that decorate the town hall. The lights will be up all month for town hall visitors to view.
Jeffrey Pohlman, assistant director of Davie’s Recreation Department, said that the Holiday Lighting of the Greens has a hometown feel.
“The lighting of the greens is a very intimate, nice holiday event to kick off the holiday season and get you in the holiday spirit,” he said. “It’s absolutely beautiful when you flip the switch and all of a sudden thousands of lights that light up town hall [come on].”
The lighting ceremony will also feature a parade of horses decorated with lights by the South Florida Trail Riders, Santa arriving on a fire truck to take pictures for a small fee in the town council chambers, holiday songs performed by the Florida Youth Orchestra and Indian Ridge Middle School, a live nativity scene and free refreshments.
The winners of the tree, menorah and kinara decorating contest will be announced at the lighting ceremony. To compete, groups will make their own decorations in keeping with this year’s “Holiday Candy Land” theme. Trees, menorahs, kinaras and lights are provided by Davie. To find out more about entering the contest, which closes on Dec. 2 at noon, call 954-797-1181.
On Dec. 10, Davie will host the Winter Holiday Snow Play, featuring 20 tons of snow, at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds on Davie Road. According to Pohlman, this event is mostly geared towards families and children.
“For some of these kids who are from Florida and have never seen snow before, it’s amazing watching them light up when they walk in,” he said.
The event will have climbing walls, bounce houses, slides, cookie decorating and a free petting farm. Santa will also make a visit to take pictures for a fee.
Additionally, Davie’s Concerts in the Park series will continue with a performance from local country band Sucker Punch and saxophone player Billy Bones on Dec. 8 from 6-9 p.m. at the Old Davie School. Food trucks, vendors, a petting farm and a bounce house will be set up at the concert.
Pohlman said he would encourage NSU students to attend the holiday events.
“They’re great events,” he said. “It’s a great way to get out in the community and see what Davie has to offer… Anyone can come and have a great time.”
For more information on any of these events, call 954-797-1181.
Caption: Every year, Davie decorates the town hall with thousands of lights.
Credit:J. Pohlman
