9 fun things to do this Labor Day weekend in Lake County, Florida

Nostalgia with vintage flair, milestones and community celebrations for a good cause can be enjoyed this Labor Day weekend.

Remember, please, not to drink and drive. Not just for safety's sake. Law enforcement will be out in force to nab drunk drivers because, duh, it's a holiday weekend. Consider springing for a room or crashing with a friend if you're too sauced.

Lake County Pride fundraising fete in Eustis

For just 10 bucks, you can help Lake County Pride’s community and youth initiatives. Musician Billy Mick will entertain the crowd along with other entertainers, and hors d’oeuvres and prize drawings are planned. The group says that the event should be "Lake County’s most joyful and impactful fundraiser of the year" ... as said before, $10 admission.

The event takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30, at Magnolia Wine Garden, 114 E. Magnolia Ave., Eustis. There will be a DJ dance after-party from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Details are on Facebook and by calling 352-357-2424.

'Get yer Irish up 'Get yer Irish up

Grace O'Malley's Public House hosts the Irish-inspired band Celtic Crossover, featuring singer-guitarist Nicole Equerme and harpist Deanna Carolina, from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30. "The third member (fiddle) is Olga Ferroni, but we have a number of other very talented players that also sit in!" Equerme tells us.

The pub can be found at 2400 South U.S. 27, Clermont. Equerme shared that she'll also be playing Sunday at Sawgrass Grove in The Villages from 5 to 9 p.m. with FiddleRat on mandolin and guitar. Details: 352-227-3155.

Barrel of Books' 13th-anniversary celebration

Congratulations, Barrel of Books, for 13 literate and entertaining years as a valued independent books and games store in Mount Dora. Head there this weekend to celebrate with free raffles, discounts and giveaways, and those who wear a BBG tee or tote bag will receive a gift. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The store is located at 403 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora. Details: facebook.com/BBGMountDora.

Groovy '70s pub crawl in Leesburg

Called the grooviest event in downtown Leesburg in 50 years, the city's Summer Saturday Shenanigans 1970s Pub Crawl invites folks of drinking age to dust off the old platform shoes and bell bottoms, and ease on down to local establishments to enjoy sample-size drinks and food and themed food and drink specials.

Participating pubs include McCracken's Irish Pub, Marmaduke's Lodge, Sipping Garden & Bistro, Brick & Barrel Public House, Great Chicago Fire Brewery, Turner's Kitchen + Bar, Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe, Wolf Branch Brewing, Hamerick Family Vineyards, The Warehouse, Prime 3 Steakhouse and Breakfast at Tiffany's.

The outta-sight event takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, for the bronze-level participants and 3-8 p.m. for silver and gold. Check-in at Southern Gardens, 712 W. Main St., Leesburg, from 3:30 to 4 p.m. for the bronze and 2:30 to 3 p.m. for the silver and gold. For details, visit the event's Facebook page. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com.

Dion Pride sings songs by his famous dad

There are tribute shows, and there are heartfelt tributes with intimate tales by children of famous artists. This show sits squarely in the latter. Dion Pride, the son of legendary Country Music Hall of Famer Charley Pride, has inherited his father's musical chops and has dedicated his new live music tour, "A Tribute to Charley Pride," to crooner dad.

If you love classic country and tunes like "Crystal Chandeliers," "Kiss an Angel Good Morning" and "Just Between You and Me," head to Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale, this Saturday, Aug. 31, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $38-$43. Details: obopry.com.

One-tank trip: BeachElla music fest in Cocoa Beach

If you're too young (or old) to have experienced a rave in the 1990s or miss the debauchery of your youth, you can get your oomph-ooomph-oomph on at Cocoa Beach's BeachElla electronic music and entertainment fest, which features a 'beach rave" dance party in the afternoon and under the stars from 4 to 11 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, at 142 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach,

"Feel the ocean breeze as you get lost in the beats," organizers say. The party continues (if cops don't bust it up first) from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. indoors at Area 142. Laser light shows will be featured along with the "Phantoms' Revenge Pirate’s Boat Ride." Confirm details by calling 321-474-3121.

Labor Day CleanUp & breakfast celebration

That Place is also celebrating its seventh anniversary, and is celebrating by doing some good for our environment, hosting a Labor Day CleanUp. Meet up at That Place at 8 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 2, for breakfast, and the cleanup of the Ferran Park shoreline starts at 9 a.m. The city of Eustis will set out additional trash cans along the route. Any large items found (tires etc.) can be picked up.

"Most of us walk the shoreline, but kayaks or other small watercraft are needed," said organizer Christine Cruz. "Our goal is to clean from Ferran Park to the end of the boardwalk by the community center. With land and water crews, we know we can accomplish it!" That Place is located at 925 N. Bay St., Eustis. Details: 352-308-8676.

Labor Day barbecue in Lady Lake

Celebrate Labor Day with a barbecue feast at Orange Blossom Hills Country Club,1542 Water Tower Circle, Lady Lake, an all-day event "filled with good vibes, great company and delicious food." The menu includes St. Louis Style Ribs & BBQ Chicken combo for $19.99. Savor the flavors of perfectly smoked ribs and juicy chicken, all served with your favorite sides: fries, beans and coleslaw. Reservations: 352-751-4501.

Indoor play open house on Labor Day

Fun 4 Tots Play, at 16215 State Road 50, Clermont, gives your kids somewhere to cavort in the A.C. on Labor Day, when some showers are expected along with unbearable heat. Time slots are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit their website at funfortotsplay.com to book a slot for $13 a kid.

A look ahead ...

Experience the Pyramid Park playground makeover

Take the kids to celebrate Pyramid Park's exciting playground makeover during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 605 W. Hermosa St., Lady Lake.

According to the town, the Lady Lake Parks and Recreation Department reached out to area children to gather their input in choosing between two new playground options. Through votes taken at The Villages Elementary of Lady Lake, the Lady Lake Library, and by way of the Town’s Facebook page, a majority of children opted for the playground's current design, which comprises vibrant reds, blues and yellows, several slides, a spinner, a rope climber and assorted decks and platforms.

Specifically geared to kids ages 5-12, the playground, town officials say, offers a focus on safety at a cost of approximately $270,000, paid for through impact fees. Details: [email protected].

All hail Leesburg's karaoke king and queen

The Warehouse Social Club & Eatery will crown a new karaoke king or queen in a nine-week contest. Contests take place on Thursday until the contest ends. The winner gets $750 and recording studio time at the new Sugar Dog Records Studio in Leesburg. Second prize gets $300 and third prize gets a $100 Warehouse gift certificate.

Each week every person in the audience will receive one ballot and ticket authorizing them to vote. Writing your name on the ticket enters you for a drawing that night for a $20 Warehouse gift certificate when you vote. You must be at least 18 years old to vote.

"Each week we will eliminate two contestants by the vote of the people till we are down to the final two contestants," the Warehouse says on its Facebook event page, adding that each week they will post on the Karaoke Crown of Leesburg page the next week’s genre of music that contestants will use to choose their song for the upcoming week.

The Warehouse is located at 312 S. Second St., Leesburg. Start time on Sept. 5 will be at 6 p.m. Subsequent weeks' events will take place at 7 p.m. Details:  352-616-1911.

New market in Mascotte

When September comes around, the outdoor markets that have been on hiatus begin opening up again. Some new markets pop up, too. One to look forward to is the American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 239 market on the second Saturday of the month, and they're still looking for vendors. For the first event, they have 40 vendors already signed up.

The first market at 307 American Legion Road, Mascotte, will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7. For details, call Hollie McGregor at 352-874-0205.

Downtown fests: Discover Leesburg & Fourth Street Live

On the second Friday of the month, the city of Leesburg puts on a popular street-fest event known as Discover Leesburg. The event offers vendors, food trucks and an evening market.

Friday the 13th isn't always unlucky. At this month's Second Friday Discover Leesburg, singer/guitarist Tre Jones will entertain the crowd. The soulful artist has captivated audiences across 17 countries and 49 states as a singer, evolving with four years of guitar licks too. To get there, navigate to 501 W. Meadow St., Leesburg.

Also Friday evening, Artist with a Purpose (AWAP) and the Leesburg Center for the Arts are teaming up to present a new monthly downtown arts event called 4th Street Live. The free art fest/market takes place in tandem with Discover Leesburg. Expect to see works by local artists and enjoy DJ tunes. Takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. followed by a business mixer from 7 to 8 p.m.

It's also the same night as a new exhibition at the Leesburg Center for the Arts. (See info below.) Details about Discover Leesburg at  [email protected] or call 352-728-9786 ext. 3255. Details at Fourth Street Live: artistwap.com or 352-728-9786.

Women Artists Group Exhibition at LFCA

The Leesburg Center for the Arts will present a new group exhibition of dynamic artworks, "Tapestry of Dreams," works by the Women Artists Group members Beatrice Athanas, Eliza Pineau Casler, Marianna Hamilton Ross, Bonnie Shapiro, Deborah B. Smith, and Lillian Verkins. The opening reception will be Friday, Sept. 13, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The exhibition continues through Oct. 27.

The Women Artists Group is a collective of six award-winning artists from Central Florida who meet regularly to encourage and stimulate each other on their artistic journeys. In their artworks, they respond to the beauty and wonder in the natural world. Inspired by a "sense of place," they individually and diversely interpret nature's presence with concern and awe for the light, color and harmony found in nature. Details: 352-365-0232.

Hosting an event in Lake County or nearby? Email description and photo (without text, please) to [email protected]. Please notify us at least two weeks in advance.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: 9 cool things to do this Labor Day weekend in Leesburg, Florida