Erika Spence: Business in the Park

Today is Thanksgiving and as my family gathers around a feast, I’ll be giving thanks for the abundance, the warmth around the table and the health of those seated there. I’ll also be reflecting on the vibrancy of our local business community and the collaborative spirit that makes efforts like this month’s Feed the Need campaign possible.

For the last three weeks our community has been involved in the third annual Feed the Need campaign. Presented by Florida Distributing Company, Mayflower Retirement Community and Winter Park Memorial Hospital, is not your average food drive. Feed the Need is an unprecedented community-wide effort to raise funds for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. You may have seen ads in the Winter Park/Maitland Observer charting the campaign’s progress.

Feed the Need raised $100,000 in both 2013 and 2014 and is well on its way to reach that remarkable goal again this year. As you take a seat at your dining room table today, consider sharing a meal with a neighbor in need. For more information, or to donate, please visit feedtheneedwp.org.

It’s time to #ShopSmall

Get ready to show some love for local businesses. At this week’s City Commission meeting, Mayor Steve Leary declared Saturday, Nov. 28, as Small Business Saturday in the city of Winter Park. Small Business Saturday is a nationwide movement to support locally-owned, independent retailers on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and according to the Small Business Administration are responsible for more than 60 percent off all net new jobs. These are also the stores that donate to charitable fundraisers, support youth sports and contribute to the overall charm of Winter Park. So come out and shop on Small Business Saturday!

Traveling for the holiday, or want to plan your shopping trip in advance? At shopsmall.com you’ll find an interactive map of shopping, dining and entertainment suggestions to help make the most of Small Business Saturday.

Kickoff the holidays on Park Avenue

The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and the city of Winter Park are proud to host Winter on the Avenue, a kickoff to the holiday season presented by Westminster Winter Park, on Friday, Dec. 4. The holiday street party will include a flurry of activities from 5 to 10 p.m. along Park Avenue and in Central Park, including the tree lighting ceremony, a caroling procession, merchant open house and street side dining, photos with Santa, window decorating contest, Popcorn Flick in the Park, live holiday jazz, ice skating, Friday Nights at the Morse and more! Park Avenue will be closed to create a pedestrian plaza. Bring your friends and family to enjoy the best of downtown Winter Park this holiday season.

Come back the following morning (Dec. 5) for the Leadership Winter Park Pancake Breakfast. The breakfast is presented by Fannie Hillman + Associates and Florida Power & Light and features hot pancakes and sausage, coffee, juice and delicious toppings by Whole Foods Market Winter Park. The breakfast runs from 7 to 10:30 a.m. and tickets are available in advance at winterpark.org, at the Winter Park Welcome Center and the morning of the event. Cost is $4 for kids and $6 for adults.

Also on Dec. 5, you won’t want to miss the 63rd annual Winter Park “Ye Olde Hometown” Christmas Parade. Presented by Bright House Networks, this traditional parade features 100 entries, including marching bands, dance troupes, community organizations, festive floats and Santa Claus. The parade makes its way down Park Avenue at 9 a.m. and lasts about 90 minutes.

Erika Spence is the senior director of marketing and communications at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce.