Oakland recognized for PR work for Santa’s Lane

The town created a fun alternative to its annual community Christmas event for families.

By Amy Quesinberry
| 11:50 a.m. April 21, 2021

The town of Oakland has received an award for its promotion of its Santa's Lane family event in December. Photo courtesy of town of Oakland

West Orange Times & Observer
News

The town of Oakland was honored by the Florida Public Relations Association for excellence in public relations for “Santa’s Lane Drive Through Christmas.” The community holiday event was recognized with an Award of Distinction in the category of “Public Relations Programs: Special Event” during the recent Mid-Florida Image Awards.

Several members of the town’s staff planned and promoted the event: Valerie Gibbons, event coordinator/permit tech; Elisha Pappacoda, administrative services and communications director and FPRA Lake County Chapter president; and Ashlynn Webb, public arts and heritage coordinator and FPRA Orlando Chapter Image Awards chair.

Oakland’s annual holiday event was reimagined in 2020 due to COVID-19. With a new drive-through format, the event offered residents the same spirit of joy without the risk associated with a physical gathering. It proved to be a popular decision, as there was much more participation than the previous year due to an outpouring of community support.

The Image Awards provides public relations practitioners a platform to be recognized in their home markets for outstanding public relations tools and programs.

author

Amy Quesinberry

Community Editor Amy Quesinberry was born at the old West Orange Memorial Hospital and raised in Winter Garden. Aside from earning her journalism degree from the University of Georgia, she hasn’t strayed too far from her hometown and her three-mile bubble. She grew up reading The Winter Garden Times and knew in the eighth grade she wanted to write for her community newspaper. She has been part of the writing and editing team since 1990.