Caribbean Jerk Festival returns to Clermont
The Caribbean American Association of Lake County will host its 12th annual Caribbean Jerk Festival from noon to 9 p.m. June 7 at Waterfront Park, 300 Third Street, Clermont, with authentic jerk cuisine, live music and craft vendors. The event will also include a kids zone with face-painting, bounce house and petting zoo. A cookoff competition will also take place.
Admission is free and open to the public.
Details: Maritza Rivera at 561-951-4035 or maritza@marzevents.com.
First Friday in Eustis
The City of Eustis will host its monthly family friendly First Friday street party, featuring live music, food trucks and vendors, at 6 p.m. June 6 at East Magnolia Avenue and North Eustis Street in downtown Eustis.
Details: 352-483-5491 or email cityofeustis-pr@eustis.org.
Gatorland presents program at Eustis library
The Eustis Memorial Library, 120 N. Center St., will host a wrangler from Gatorland on June 6. Alligators, snakes, lizards and more will be present for a Gatorland Live event at 11 a.m. and noon and a photo opportunity with gators will take place at the end of the programs. Space is limited.
The programs are free and open to the public.
Details: 352-357-5686.
Wetland excursion through Crooked River Preserve
Staff from Lake County’s office of Parks and Trails will lead a Wetland Excursion of Crooked River Preserve, 11121 Lake Louisa Road, Clermont, beginning at 9 a.m. June 7. Participants on the fast-paced hike will get to explore the preserve’s diverse ecosystems, including the plants and animals that call the Crooked River home. Hikers should bring water and wear proper clothing for weather conditions.
Details and registration: Luke Allen at 352-602-0809 or luke.allen@lakecountyfl.gov.
Vacation Bible school in Mount Dora
First United Methodist Church of Mount Dora, 439 E. Fifth Ave., will have its annual Vacation Bible School from 9 a.m. to noon June 9-13 for children in pre-K-3 through fifth grade. This year’s theme is Hometown Nazareth Vacation Bible School: Where Jesus was a Kid.
The program will include interactive Bible fun, games, crafts and snacks. The fee is $20 and includes a T-shirt.
The church has added a Stay and Play after VBS option from noon to 5 p.m., with games, crafts and movies. The cost for the after-VBS program is $125. Space is limited.
Details and registration: mtdorafumc.org/families or Amanda Green at 352-383-2005 or family@mtdorafumc.org.
Virtual visit at library with Florida author Amy Nielsen
Author and 2025 Florida Book Award winner Amy Nielsen, a former educator, will discuss her award-winning novel “Worth It” during a 2 p.m. June 10 virtual visit with patrons of the Umatilla Public Library, 412 Hatfield Drive.
Nielson’s young-adult novel follows the trials of a pregnant teen in an abusive relationship and is rooted in Florida history, the devastating back-to-back freezes of the 80s that crippled the citrus industry. The book’s fictional town of North Lake was inspired by the city of Umatilla. The program is free and open to the public.
Details: 352-669-3284.
Learn to research family history with help of Library of Congress
A J Aiséirithe, reference librarian in the Researcher and Reference Services Division at the Library of Congress, will give an introduction to using the library’s online resources and collections to research family history from 5 to 6:30 p.m. June 12 at the Cooper Memorial Library, 2525 Oakley Seaver Drive, Clermont, or via Zoom.
A question-and-answer session will take place after the program, sponsored by the Pastfinders Genealogical Society of South Lake County.
Refreshments will be served prior to the program at 4:30 pm., followed by Pastfinders announcements. The program is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Details and registration: pastfindersslc.org.
Fire truck safety program at Eustis library
The Eustis Memorial Library, 120 N. Center St., will host members of the Eustis Fire Department during a Touch-a-Truck safety program for kids at 11 a.m. June 13. Children will learn about fighting fires and fire safety and take photos with a fire engine afterward. The program is free and open to the public.
Details: Jaimie at 352-357-0896.
Comedy series begins in Mount Dora
Stand-up comedian Rauce Padgett will kick off Mount Dora’s 2025 REAL Comedy Series with a performance at 8 p.m. June 14 at the Mount Dora Community Building, 520 N. Baker St.
Padgett’s special guests will include Kevin Deane, AJ Cline, and host Angel Rivera, known for his work on Monsters in the Morning. A social hour will take place prior to the show at 7 p.m.
The comedy series will continue with comedian Ryan Holmes at 8 p.m. July 12, followed by Sabrina Ambra at 8 p.m. Aug. 23. General admission is $20, with VIP tickets available for $40.
Details and tickets: MountDoraMusicHall.com.
Lifeguard certification courses
Orlando Health National Training Center, 1935 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont. is offering a three-part American Red Cross full-certification lifeguard course from 5 to 9 p.m. June 20, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 21-22.
Participants must complete an online portion of the class before the in-person course.
The course will give entry-level participants the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies, including how to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services personnel take over.
The cost is $275. For details and registration, go to americanlifeguard.com/. For questions, email kelsey.tobin@orlandohealth.com or call 352- 241-7144, ext. 4224.
Lake management workshop series continues
Lake County has launched a growth management workshop series, a four-part initiative to gather community input and encourage transparent dialogue about preserving natural resources, protecting quality of life, and managing the impacts of growth on roads and infrastructure. Three programs remain:
— A planning 101 workshop will take place at 2 p.m. June 10 at the Lake County Agricultural Center, 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares. Residents and stakeholders will learn how planning policies and land development regulations support responsible growth. Kimley Horn consultants Kelley Klepper and Katy Magruder, and Planning and Zoning Board staff will participate in the workshop.
— An ag farmlands workshop will be held at 2 p.m. June 23 at the Lake County Board of County Commissioners chambers, 315 W. Main St., Tavares, with a discussion on local agriculture challenges and available resources. Partners for the workshop include State of Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, State Sen. Keith Truenow, State Rep. Danny Alvarez, 1000 Friends of Florida President Paul Owens, extension agents and local agricultural leaders.
— The last workshop, a joint planning agreement roundtable, is at 1 p.m. June 30 at the Venetian Center, Harris Room, 1 Dozer Court, Leesburg. The focus will be on
collaborative municipal planning through joint planning agreements. Area municipal mayors and city managers, along with Dr. Richard Levy of Levey Consulting, will participate.
As part of its long-term vision for responsible development, the county welcomes residents, business owners and civic stakeholders to attend and help shape growth management strategies. Public comments and input are welcome at the workshops, except for the June 30 session.
For details, registration, or to provide input: LakeCountyFl.gov/growth.
Summer book, movie series at Mount Dora church
First Presbyterian Church of Mount Dora, 222 W. Sixth Ave., hosts a summer book group from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 28 to discuss the C.S. Lewis book “Mere Christianity.” There is no cost to join the group, which is open to the public. The meetings take place in the chapel.
The church will also have a summer movie series featuring “The Chosen” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays from through Aug. 27. The historical drama is based on the life of Jesus and those who knew him against the backdrop of Roman oppression in first-century Israel. There is no admission charge and the public is welcome.
Details: 352-383-4089.
Mount Dora council members receive Home Rule Hero awards
The Florida League of Cities, which represents the state’s municipal governments, recently recognized Mount Dora council members Doug Bryant and Cal Rolfson with 2025 Home Rule Hero awards for their hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2025 Legislative session.
Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials, both elected and nonelected, who consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the Legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue.
Rolfson worked throughout the session by sharing insights, local data and real-world examples that helped inform state lawmakers and elevate the voice of Florida’s cities.
Bryant engaged with state lawmakers throughout the session, offering insights, community data and local experiences.
Seaport Village in Tavares expands construction
Winter Park-based Henin Holdings LLC, has begun Phase Two site construction of 90 remaining single family homesites at Seaport Village in Tavares, on Slim Haywood Avenue off State Road 19 and County Road 561.
Phase One, featuring 56 home sites, was sold last year to Jacksonville-based Dream Finders Homes and homes are under construction there.
The 36-acre community has a total of 146 lots that can accommodate floor plans with three, four and five bedrooms ranging from 1,407 to 2,531 square feet of living area.
Details: Jerome Henin, founder/CEO of The Henin Group at 407-644-8595 or Jerome@henin-co.com.
Grant funding opportunities
The Lake County Office of Housing & Community Services is accepting grant applications in support of youth prevention and intervention programs as well as human services programs benefiting at-risk individuals and families.
The funding opportunities include children’s services council (youth services), abuse and neglect prevention, after-school and out-of-school programming, mental, physical, or behavioral health services, subsidized childcare, initiatives promoting healthy choices and decision-making, human services programs (elder and family services), services assisting seniors and individuals with disabilities, programs promoting economic self-sufficiency, support for independent living and/or food assistance services.
Eligible organizations may apply for funding of up to $25,000 per program. Organizations may only apply for one of the two available grant categories. The deadline for applications is 3 p.m. June 18.
To access the fillable application, go to lakecountyfl.gov/home and scroll down to the link under Latest News.
Details: Amy Elliott at HHS@lakecountyfl.gov.
Ages 50-over men’s softball league seeks players
The Lakes League Men’s Softball League, for ages 50 and over, will play in October at Pear Park, 26701 U.S. Highway 27, Leesburg. Games are at 9 a.m.
Details: tsperanza7@gmail.com.
Prenatal classes offered at Orlando Health South Lake Hospital
Orlando Health South Lake Hospital offers a Ready for Birth childbirth class each week in two parts from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, or a one-day class from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays. The classes take place at the hospital, 1900 Don Wickham Drive in Clermont.
The class encompasses information about exercises to prepare the mother for birth, relaxation and coping techniques, pain control options, labor positioning, induction and C-section basics, recovery and welcoming baby. Expectant mothers are encouraged to bring up to two support “coaches” to the class. Registration is required and every other month the class is offered in Spanish.
— The hospital also has a prenatal Ready for Breastfeeding class, focused on benefits of breastfeeding for baby and mom, from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays or Thursdays, or from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays. The class covers what to expect when initiating breastfeeding, skin-to-skin holding, positioning, deep latch techniques, pumps and pumping, and basic troubleshooting.
— A Ready for Baby newborn care class takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays. It details what to expect during the hospital stay, infant nutrition options, immunization facts and options, developmental milestones, soothing baby and newborn hygiene.
— A monthly Restore Your Core and Pelvic Floor class will address common issues like back and pelvic pain, diastasis recti (abdominal separation), urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction. Women will learn what bodily changes to expect after giving birth, how to prepare for childbirth and how to maximize recovery.
Registration is required for each class. Go to southlakehospital.com and visit prenatal education classes.
A maternal education counselor is available to help select classes and discuss birth plans. To book a 15-minute appointment with a counselor, call 352-386-1185.
To submit events
To submit a community event for online publication, email information at least two weeks before the event to lake@orlandosentinel.com.
