Enjoy a December Full of Festivities

Christmas Parades

December 7 is the day for community Christmas parades in both Vero Beach and Sebastian. The Vero parade, hosted by Sunrise Rotary, will commence at 6 p.m. at Cardinal Drive and proceed up Ocean Drive to Live Oak Road. Parking will be available at Riverside Park, with buses providing transport to a point near the start of the parade route. For more information, see verobeachchristmasparade.org. The Sebastian parade starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Street Boat Ramp and ends at Riverview Park (County Road 512 and U.S. Hwy. 1). A fun family celebration follows. The City of Sebastian (772-388-8209, cityofsebastian.org) is organizing this event.

Sebastian Centennial Celebration

Speaking of Sebastian, congratulations are in order: the town is celebrating its centennial with an all-day bash on Sunday, December 8. The Express Clydesdales and “Teddy Roosevelt” will lead the parade at 10 a.m., and festivities will ensue at Riverview Park. After a welcome from local dignitaries, President Roosevelt will tell the story of the founding of the first national wildlife refuge at Pelican Island. Live music will be provided by the bands Group Therapy and Short Circuit. Food and craft vendors will be on hand all day. There will be free birthday cupcakes at noon and a kids zone from noon to 5 p.m. Fireworks will round out the revelry at 6 p.m. For more information, see sebastian100.com or call the City of Sebastian at 772-388-8209.

Candlelight Ball

Hibiscus Children’s Center will hold its annual Candlelight Ball at 6 p.m. December 8 at The Moorings Yacht & Country Club (100 Harbour Drive). Tricia Chambers and Lisa Giessert, shown here, are co-chairing the event, which will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a three-course dinner, and dancing to a live band. Black-tie attire is optional, and tickets are $250. Hibiscus provides a safe haven and a multitude of services to children and teens who have suffered abuse. For more information on the event, call 772-334-9311, ext. 403 or see hibiscuschildrenscenter.org.

Jungle Lights

Harking back to McKee Botanical Garden’s origins as McKee Jungle Gardens, the Festival of Lights is now Jungle Lights. For 17 spectacular nights, (Dec. 8, 10–15, 17–22, and 26–29), the garden will be lit up for the holidays. The entire family will enjoy the illuminated flora and fauna, exotic jungle sounds, and a colossal animated Christmas tree. The hours are 6 to 9 p.m., and regular admission fees apply. For more information, call the garden at 772-794-0601 or visit its website, mckeegarden.org.

Mystic Pizza

This show, based on the 1988 MGM romantic comedy of the same name, will run January 7–26 at Riverside Theatre. Directed by Casey Hushion, the show features musical arrangements and orchestrations by Carmel Dean, story and characters by Amy Holden Jones, and choreography by Connor Gallagher. The book is by Sandy Rustin. It is a tale of three girls working in a small-town pizza joint and navigating the complexities of life, love, and family. Fans of music from the 1980s will particularly enjoy the score. Showtimes vary, and tickets are $42 and up. For more information, call the box office at
772-231-6990 or see riversidetheatre.com.