It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – Again!
Clermont: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go. Thanks to the recently held Enchanted Forest Holiday Christmas Tree Decorating Contest, the Historic Village Down-Town, Clermont is once again aglow!
For over 30 years, The City of Clermont has been known for its festive annual Light Up Clermont Holiday Parade. However, this time-old tradition was regrettably interrupted and cancelled last December 2020 because of COVID-19. The event was temporarily replaced last year by The Enchanted Forest Holiday Christmas Tree Decorating Contest: an exciting city-wide initiative for which groups such as schools, businesses and community organizations are invited to participate. The Caribbean American Association of Lake County (CAALC) eagerly rose to the challenge, entered the inaugural contest, and together with other creative groups, helped decorate 40 beautiful Christmas Trees. It was a stunning showcase of season’s cheer at Victory Pointe, in the Historic Village Downtown Clermont
This year, the Enchanted Forest contest made a roaring return. CAALC continued as a standout participant in the November 2021 event. Association volunteers rallied together to bring a uniquely Caribbean, island vibe to the tree décor, to showcase Clermont’s growing cultural magic.
Creative and innovative CAALC members brainstormed the theme: Light Up Clermont 21 Gnome for the Holidays. Member, Daniela Martinez quipped: “My creative juices are flowing so we will name our tree Rasta Gnome.” Coordinator: Inez Wallace, along with the artist, Maureen Wilson and other Association volunteers strategically prepared materials to create this Gnome tree, and Rasta Gnome came alive!
Then, on Saturday November 5th amid serene music sounds and the fresh cool air of a promising, festive season, the CAALC crew decorated the notable tree at Victory Pointe. Rasta Gnome took its place in Clermont’s holiday history, showcased in the company of 49 other decorated tree specials.
Final, on-site decorations were executed by CAALC members and friends: Maureen Wilson, Vilma Roland-Caine, Constance Tracey, Iva Spencer, Maxine Hylton, Denise Clare, Inez Wallace, Stuart Wilson and Joet Powell.
- Written by Inez Osbourne ………….. Wallace.
- Edited by Kecia Osbourne …………….. Triplette