Neat Things To Do as the Holidays Approach

Greater Brandon residents, as always, have a rich array of community events and gatherings to choose from as work time gives way to leisure time for people of all ages.

As the year draws to a close, we're focused even more so on neat things to do as the holidays approach, aimed to meet a wide array of tastes, passions and interests.

We craft these lists from the many emails and notices we receive with requests to help spread the word as a community news outlet.

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Do your part, too; spread the word with a Facebook like and a linkout to others in your own holiday greetings.

Sugar Plum Fairy Tea (Nov.19) and “The Nutcracker”

• Ask any young dancer what part she aspires to play during the Christmas season and the most likely response is the Sugar Plum Fairy.  Straight from the Land of Sweets, the Sugar Plum Fairy is scheduled to attend a meet- and-greet Nov. 19 at the home of the Brandon Ballet, at The Dance Center, in the Winn-Dixie anchored shopping center at 161 East Bloomingdale Ave. The event is for girls ages 3 and older living in Greater Brandon and beyond. For a $25 annual fee, club members receive a personalized letter of welcome from the Sugar Plum Fairy, an autographed pair of toe shoes worn by the fairy and a tiara to wear to all Brandon Ballet performances. Also included are opportunities for backstage tours, a dress rehearsal viewing and more. Call 813-684-4282, Monday-Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Online membership applications and payments also are accepted. Meanwhile, tickets are on sale for the “The Nutcracker,” Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $20 for seniors (ages 55 and over) and $15 for children (ages 18 and under).  The ballet will be performed at the Spoto High School auditorium, at 8538 Eagle Palm Drive, in Riverview.  Tickets are available online. Call: 813-684-4282.

Arab American Cultural Festival (Nov. 20)

• The Arab American Cultural Festival, showcasing Arabic food, music, dance, arts and crafts, is scheduled for Nov. 20, from noon to 7 p.m., at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Entrance is off U.S. Highway 301. For information, call: 813-644-2722.

Buckler Craft Fair (Nov. 26-27)

• The Buckler Craft Fair returns to the Florida State Fairgrounds in time for the holiday season. Handmade creations from artisans nationwide are available for purchase Nov. 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Nov. 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults. Children ages 12 and under are admitted for free. For every one admission purchased a free admission is given in exchange for a canned food donation to benefit Tampa Bay Harvest. Entrance is off U.S. Highway 301. For information, call: 813-860-0092.

Horse-Ology Happy Hour at Joia (Nov. 27)

• Dress up for the holidays – cowboy and cowgirl style – at Joia Fabulous Pizza & Martini in Riveriview on Nov. 27 and help support RVR Horse Rescue of Riverview, a team of volunteers who rescue abused and neglected horses to both rehabilitate them and find for them loving homes. The Horse-Ology Happy Hour  benefit runs from 4-7 p.m. and features a contest for best cowboy and cowgirl contest. Advice given by event organizers: “Hats, boots and, oh yeah, wear it how ‘ya like it!” The event is sponsored by Joia and Four Paws Veterinary Hospital in Riverview.  Joia is at 10475 Gibsonton Drive in Riverview.

Related Coverage:

For a very moving story on RVR Horse Rescue, read this Blooomingdale report, , posted by award-winning journalist D'Ann White, editor of the Bloomingdale Patch.