OKEECHOBEE – The holiday season is underway in Okeechobee!
Santa will be at Okeechobee City Hall, 55 S.E. Third Avenue from 6 to 8 p.m. on the following dates: December 5, 6, and 7.
The 2023 Trot for Toys event is planned for Sunday, Dec. 10, at 10 a.m. at Grassy Island, 1701 N.W. 50th Drive. The event includes a trail ride, lunch and hay and tack raffles. While most participants ride horses, the event is also open to bicyclists. Bike trails are separate from the horse trails at Grassy Island. Entry is a $20 donation (which includes lunch) along with an unwrapped toy. Members of the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office Mounted Patrol will lead the group out on the trail. Lunch will be catered by Blue Moon BBQ, along with homemade Swamp Cabbage cooked by Elton Boney. For more information, call 863-610-1943.
OKEECHOBEE — Big Lake Mission Outreach, is currently sponsoring their 29th Annual Toy Drive for their clients underprivileged children in our county. Big Lake Mission screens their families and the unwrapped gifts are to be wrapped by the parents and placed under the tree Christmas morning. The mission is in need of gifts from 1-day-old to 17-years-old. Gift may be in the form of gifts, gift cards or checks made out to Big Lake Mission and they will do the shopping for you. Pick-up and receipts available upon request. Individuals or groups may also adopt a family (early request please). The absolute last day to sign-up to receive toys is Dec. 10. For information, call 863-763-5725.
The Okeechobee High School Class of 2025 will host a Free Outdoor Movie Night featuring, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," on Monday, Dec. 11, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the OHS Brahman Football Field. Concessions will be available. Bring a chair and/or a blanket. Food trucks will be on site from 5 to 9 p.m. Santa and the Grinch will make a guest appearance at 6 p.m. All donations will benefit the OHS prom.
Okeechobee County Fire Rescue will help Santa tour the county this year. On Dec. 11, Santa will tour the northwest section. On Dec. 12, Santa will tour the southwest section. On Dec. 13, Santa will tour the southeast section. On Dec. 14, Santa will tour the northeast section.
The City of Okeechobee will continue the tradition for Santa to tour the town in the weeks before Christmas. When the city had a fire department, Santa rode around town on a fire truck. The visitor from the North Pole will make the rounds on the City Hall Christmas Float this year. On Dec. 12, he will tour the Northwest and Northeast sections of within the city limits. On Dec. 13, he will tour the Southeast section of the city. On Dec. 14, he will tour the Southwest section of the city. For more information, see the City of Okeechobee's page on Facebook.
Lake and Trail USA, 1253 State Road 78, will host photos with Santa on Thursday, Dec. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m.
The Marine Corps Toys for Tots Okeechobee distribution will be at the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center on Saturday, Dec. 16. Gates open at 9 a.m. Proof of Okeechobee residency is required and children must be present.
The Cattlemen’s Christmas Market is planned for Saturday, Dec. 16, 3:30 to 8 p.m. at the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center, 4601 SR 710. The event will include art and craft vendors, food trucks, a bounce house, a petting zoo and more. For more information, see the Cattlemen’s Christmas Market event page on Facebook.
VFW Post #10539 will host the annual Christmas Boat Parade on Dec. 16. Boats will meet at Burger King on State Road 70 in Okeechobee, and travel down Taylor Creek to VFW Post #10539, 3912 U.S. Highway 441 S.E. There will be prizes for the best decorated boat, as well as raffles, food and entertainment. Bring your favorite pot of chili to share at the post. For more information, contact Jim Helm at 863-532-5910.
Is your club, organization, school or church planning a holiday event that is open to the community? Add it to this list! Email information to okeenews@iniusa.org.
