Tampa Republic

The City of Tampa is inviting the community to join in the festivities of the annual Illuminate East Tampa celebration. This year, the event will take place at Robert L. Cole, Sr. Community Lake on Friday, December 8th.

The celebration will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will feature the lighting of three floating holiday trees. Community leaders and City staff will be present to mark the occasion. Parks & Recreation Interim Director Tony Mulkey, Tampa City Council Chairman Guido Maniscalco, Councilwoman Gwendolyn Henderson, and Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak will all be giving remarks during the event.

In addition to the tree lighting ceremony, there will be a variety of activities for attendees to enjoy. The evening will be filled with holiday music from "Instruments 4 Life," a performance by Tampa Parks & Recreation cheerleaders, and even a visit from Santa himself. There will also be a senior dance and crafts for everyone to participate in.

The highlight of the evening will be the countdown to the tree lighting on the lake, which is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. This moment will truly illuminate East Tampa and bring the holiday spirit to the community.

Illuminate East Tampa is an event hosted by Tampa Parks & Recreation, and it aims to bring the community together in celebration of the holiday season. It is an opportunity for residents to come together, enjoy the festivities, and create lasting memories with their loved ones.

So mark your calendars for Friday, December 8th, and join us at Robert L. Cole, Sr. Community Lake for the annual Illuminate East Tampa celebration. It promises to be a memorable evening filled with lights, music, and holiday cheer.

As Tony Mulkey, Parks & Recreation Interim Director, expressed, "We are excited to once again host the Illuminate East Tampa celebration and bring the community together for this joyous event. It is a great opportunity for families and friends to come together and celebrate the holiday season."

For more information about the event, please contact the City of Tampa at (813) 274-8211 or visit their website.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.tampa.gov/news/2023-12/community-invited-annual-illuminate-east-tampa-celebration-132956