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Artists, Deals and Downtown Flavor at Saturday’s Art Walk

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19 November 2025
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HIGH SPRINGS – The sidewalks of historic downtown High Springs will turn into an open-air gallery on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, as the seasonal Art Walk returns from noon to 5 p.m. with 18 – 20 local artists and makers setting up along Main Street storefronts. The recurring event, a favorite on the community calendar, blends art, small-business specials and the easy, walkable charm that has come to define the city’s downtown.

The Art Walk is designed as a showcase for North Central Florida talent: painters, printmakers, potters, jewelry designers, woodworkers and other creatives demonstrating methods and selling finished work just a few steps from cafés and boutiques. Visitors can browse handmade goods, then pop into one of downtown’s eclectic restaurants for a late lunch or grab a pick-me-up from a coffee counter before circling back for a second look.

What sets the High Springs version apart is the setting. The compact downtown makes it simple to cover the entire route at a leisurely pace, turning the afternoon into a choose-your-own itinerary: start at one end of the district and stroll past easels and display racks, detour into a vintage shop, or linger where a maker is explaining process. Participating merchants plan event-day specials and sales, adding a second layer of discovery for shoppers who want to support local businesses while taking in the art.

The format also gives emerging artists a low-barrier way to meet customers. Sidewalk booths create natural conversations about technique and materials, and return visitors often look for familiar names from past Art Walks. For residents, it’s a chance to connect faces to the work they’ve spotted around town—on café walls, in gift shops, or at previous installments of the event.

Families typically find plenty to engage younger browsers — bright color studies, whimsical ceramics, nature-inspired prints — while seasoned collectors can scout original pieces or small, affordable editions. With the holidays approaching, the November date tends to spark early gift buying; shoppers often leave with something wearable, something for a wall and a few stocking stuffers tucked into a reusable tote.

Plan on comfortable shoes and unhurried timing; the Art Walk rewards meandering. Many visitors make a loop, take a break for a bite, then return to favorite booths for a final decision. Payment options vary by vendor, so having both a card and some cash on hand can help move purchases along.

Downtown’s hospitality is part of the draw. Restaurants and bakeries add to the festive vibe, and shopkeepers frequently set out sidewalk displays that complement the artists stationed nearby. The result is a small-town streetscape animated by easels, stands and friendly conversation — an afternoon that feels as much like a neighborhood gathering as an arts market.

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Emergency Road Closure on SW 24th Avenue

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13 November 2025
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ALACHUA COUNTY - Due to a minor sinkhole opening, the Alachua County Public Works Department announced an emergency road closure on SW 24th Avenue between SW 91st Street and SW 87th Way.

 Drivers will be detoured around the area using SW 87th Way to SW 91st Street. Residents of the Shannon Woods subdivision, exiting the neighborhood using SW 88th Street, will only be able to go east on SW 24th Avenue.

 Drivers should use caution, stay alert and focused, follow the designated detour signs, and maintain a safe speed and following distance when traveling through the detour. Drivers should expect delays and plan ahead during this construction.

 For more information, contact Alachua County Construction Inspection Superintendent Aaron Burke at 352-548-1240.

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Holiday Classic Returns Nov. 22: Dance Alive National Ballet Presents Nutcracker at Legacy Park

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13 November 2025
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ALACHUA — The holiday season will take center stage in Alachua as Dance Alive National Ballet presents a free community performance of The Nutcracker on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at the Legacy Park Multipurpose Center. The City of Alachua is hosting the event, which features two showtimes, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and is open to all residents at no cost.

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Kiwanis Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest Brings Halloween Fun

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13 November 2025
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Families and participants enjoyed the sixth annual pumpkin decorating contest in downtown High Springs on Friday. The event, hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, brought out community members for Halloween fun and treats. / Photo special to Alachua County Today

HIGH SRINGS – Halloween in downtown High Springs was a blast as the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe rolled out the orange carpet for its sixth annual pumpkin decorating contest! The event was packed with spooky spirit and plenty of dazzling, imaginative pumpkins that delighted the crowd.

The contest featured multiple age divisions and highlighted both individual talent and community participation. Little ghouls and goblins stole the show in the Children 6 or Younger category, with Taelynn Perry, Tinleigh Perry, Sammy Wicks, and Jameson Parry all taking home top honors.

In the Youth 7–12 group, Rayve Boyle snatched First Place, Hannah McCullough grabbed Second, and Hudson Huffman earned a spooky Third.

The 13 or Older division saw Brianna Oswald rise to First Place, Renee Cox come in Second, and Julie Tapia-Ruano claim Third.

Local organizations and businesses also joined the fun. Serendipity earned recognition in the City Business category, the High Springs Police Department was named top City Department, and Air America received honors for Best Presentation of High Springs.

The Kiwanis Club extended thanks to participating businesses and organizations that helped support the family-oriented celebration. “This spirited fundraiser helps support children and families across Alachua and High Springs,” the club shared.

Event sponsors included Alachua County Today, Ross Ambrose, Great Outdoors, Pink Flamingo, Prime Conduit, Prohibition Pizza, Waste Pro, High Springs CRA, Steak Out, The Florida Creamery, Theme Works, American Air, Campus USA, Decades on Main Street, High Springs Brewery, Jason’s Jewelry, LaTour Eye Doctor and The Mantle.

The Kiwanis Club noted their appreciation to every volunteer, business partner and community supporter who contributed to the event’s success.

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Fairy-Tale Fun Lights Up Alachua’s Trick-Or-Treat On Main Street

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13 November 2025
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Trick-or-Treaters fill Main Street in Alachua during the city’s annual Halloween celebration, weaving through crowds under festive lights as local businesses hand out candy and families take in the lively holiday atmosphere. / Photo special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA ‒ Main Street shimmered with fairy-tale magic and Halloween glow Friday evening as families packed into downtown Alachua for the city’s annual “Trick or Treat on Main” celebration. From princess tiaras to superhero capes and tiny pumpkins toddling beside parents, the event delivered a festive and safe Halloween night for the community.

Hosted by the Alachua Chamber of Commerce with support from the City of Alachua, local businesses and civic groups, the event once again turned the historic downtown district into a pedestrian-only corridor filled with treats, themed displays and festive photo stops. The celebration ran from 5:30 to 8 p.m., giving families time to explore, gather candy and enjoy the Halloween atmosphere before heading off to neighborhood trick-or-treating or home for the night.

This year, Main Street took on the classic charm of “Snow White” for the annual Scarecrow Row, a highlight that has become a signature element of the celebration. Businesses and organizations lined the street with handcrafted scarecrows and scenes inspired by the beloved fairy tale. Guests wandered past depictions of Snow White, forest-dwelling dwarfs, enchanted mirrors, and apples both sweet and sinister.

The competition brought out big creativity from local participants. The Mustard Seed claimed first place, Boukari Law / Alachua County Today placed second, and Sysco earned third for its imaginative display. Judges praised the entries for their craftsmanship and playful spirit, adding cinematic flair to the evening.

Children darted from storefront to storefront, collecting candy while parents snapped photos amid twinkling lights and costumed characters. The Snow White’s Cottage photo booth proved popular, offering families a cozy spot to pose among woodland-themed décor, complete with peek-through cottage windows and friendly animal characters perched along the sills.

Organizers credited strong support from corporate participants and local merchants who decorated, handed out candy and kept the festive energy high. “A heartfelt thank-you to all the businesses who participated and handed out candy. Your support made this event such a memorable experience for the kids (and adults!) who came out to celebrate,” the Alachua Chamber of Commerce shared in a statement.

Parking lots near downtown filled quickly, with many families arriving early to beat the crowd. Alachua Police officers were stationed throughout the event to ensure a smooth and safe evening for all attendees.

As crowds trickled away under streetlights and the last of the candy buckets emptied, children clutched glow sticks and candy bags, and parents pushed strollers past the final displays. Once again, “Trick or Treat on Main” offered a community-centered way to celebrate Halloween—fun, festive and filled with small-town magic.

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