Alachua County Today

ALACHUA – A sold-out crowd of 650 guests walked along the stylized vintage 1920s boardwalk on a beautiful Saturday evening for ViVA! 2012 at the Rembert Farm in Alachua.

The new theme – a Coney Island Carnival – was a smash hit for attendees at the eighth-annual Viva!

Guests played carnival games while snacking on gourmet classic carnival treats prepared by Embers Wood Grill. After dinner they were able to witness an extraordinary acrobatic display.

Clearly ViVA! 2012 was a big success, raising more than in 2011, as well as creating awareness and educating people about the mission of Haven Hospice, which has been providing compassionate end-of-life care in North Central Florida since 1979. Proceeds will go to unfunded Haven Hospice programs and services like Camp Safe Haven, Transitions, pre-hospice programs and community grief and loss support.

Approximately 130 volunteers worked to ensure that it was a fantastic evening. Almost 100 items were on display in the Remberts’ barn – all part of the silent and live auctions.

“ViVA! 2012 was a great success,” said Haven Hospice Vice President of Organizational Development Michael Morse. “Whenever you change themes, like we did this year, you don’t know what to anticipate, but this event went beyond all of our expectations.”

Submit your story by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.