by James Coulter
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go. And Downtown Lake Wales is sure to look a lot like Christmas during its annual Make It Magical holiday event.
On Fri. Dec. 13, 2024, Downtown Lake Wales will transform into a winter wonderland with local stores and eateries open after hours, carolers and musicians performing live music, and there will even be “snow” drifting down from the night sky above.
Children old and young can enjoy the many arts, crafts, games, and other holiday festivities, while adults can sneak in some extra holiday shopping at local shops and even art and craft vendors in the marketplace square.
This annual holiday event has been hosted for nearly 13 years by Lake Wales Main Street. Executive Director Ronni Wood has been with the organization since its inception in 1987.
Wood loves Make It Magical for what its name implies: making a magical holiday evening for residents. Last year, the event drew in nearly 8,000 people to Downtown Lake Wales, and this year, she expects that same number.
As for the reason people should attend if they never attended? The smiles, she said.
“What reason not to attend?” she asked. “It’s the holiday spirit. It’s the snow that comes flittering down from the buildings. It is the music. It is the Santa that children stand in line for 30 minutes to sit on his lap. It’s the Christmas tree. It’s the decorations…Why wouldn’t anyone want to come down here to rest and relax and be lifted away into a magical atmosphere?”
Make It Magical will be hosted on Fri. Dec. 13 from 5 PM – 9 PM at Downtown Lake Wales. For more information, visit their website at: https://lwmainstreet.com/
