Party Time In Eustis This Weekend: GeorgeFest Arrives!

    The biggest community celebration of the year arrives in Eustis this week, when the annual GeorgeFest celebration returns for its 120th installment. Downtown Eustis will be buzzing for several days as it plays host to entertainment, a carnival, fireworks, the annual Washington's Birthday parade, and a Sunday live concert featuring Eustis native and 'Commodores' founder Thomas McClary.
    The event is the longest-running celebration of George Washington's birthday in Florida, and the second-longest in the country. This year's event carries the theme of "Let The Good Times Roll", and kicks off Thursday when a carnival throws the switch on its bright lights. The carnival will run through the event's conclusion on Sunday.
    Friday sees the party continue downtown, highlighted by a 9 p.m. fireworks show over Ferran Park and Lake Eustis. The fireworks will be preceded by performances by acts including Juno Smile, Kenny Ahren, Dennis Lee, and even a Bob Marley tribute at 6 p.m.
    On Saturday, thousands of people are expected to pack the sidewalks along Bay Street, when the town's annual parade takes the spotlight. Preceded by a Dog jog at 9:45 a.m., the street parade will run north along Bay Street through downtown. A day of fun and frolic continues more live entertainment running through 8 p.m., a trivia contest at noon, a bird of prey demonstration from noon to 3 p.m., a special birthday cake event at 2 p.m. at the bandshell, and more.
    Sunday sees the return of the annual GeorgeFest bass tournament on Lake Eustis, a 10 a.m. pancake breakfast and worship service, a noon ice cream social, and at 1 p.m. the Thomas McClary concert at the bandshell in Ferran Park.
    GeorgeFest is presented by the City of Eustis and Lake Eustis Area Chamber of Commerce. Learn more at www.eustis.org.