BEVERLY S. PARIS 

After living in Vero Beach for nearly 25 years, and enjoying all the events that are held in this dynamic bedroom community (while putting on a number of them myself), I am constantly amazed at how many hard working, creative and dedicated people live and work here.

When I was asked by the City of Vero Beach to lend my experience to a new committee formed for the sole purpose of raising awareness and fundraising dollars for the City Recreation Department, I was quick to accept.  After all, had it not been for the support and assistance from many city departments within Vero Beach during my tenure in producing Downtown Friday, The Hibiscus Festival and other assorted outdoor events, they would not have been successful. It was apparent to me that it was now time for me to give back to the City.  And that I have done….jumping in with both feet!

Once we began the task of helping to reorganize a long-held traditional holiday event at Royal Palm Pointe, I quickly discovered that my community friends, business acquaintances, often used resources, vendors, clients, media and entertainment coordinators, were equally anxious to help with equipment, talent, time and money…they too…jumping in with both feet!

So here we are, all of us who live in and near Vero Beach, as we are about to welcome the Holiday Rec Party and Holiday Rec Run 3296-GO! to Royal Palm Pointe on Friday evening, December 6 from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. The Fountains at Royal Palm Pointe will soon be open for year-round family fun on Sundays with the proceeds from these events.

The Holiday Rec Party will be held in the parking lot at the end of Royal Palm Pointe and around the Fountains.  Guests will be entertainment by The Rip Tides, Old Barber Bridge, Vero Beach Theatre Guild’s Guild-on –the- Go, the IR Charter High School’s Diversified Chorus and Gifford Youth Orchestra. Children can make holiday decorations for the Christmas trees, color with Vero author/illustrator Leslie McGuirk, frolic on the inflatables, have their face painted or visit with Papa Joe’s puppets and of course, Santa Claus. In addition to the official lighting of the decorated trees, the evening’s piece de resistance will undoubtedly be the Holiday Boat Parade along the Inter-coastal, along with the intermittent auction of paintings, impressions of the Royal Palm Pointe Fountain by local Vero Beach artists, booths galore, food vendors, two beer gardens and a whole lot more!

The Holiday Rec Run the first-ever City “Night” run, will kick off at 6 p.m. The 2 mile jaunt begins at the entrance to Royal Palm Pointe on the corner of Indian River Boulevard and will proceed through the beautiful Vero Isles, down to Young Park and then back to Royal Palm Pointe. The timed event by Runners Depot, will offer the first 150 runners an event t-shirt along with their choice of a glow stick necklace, bracelet or headband and goodie bags, OJ and water. Before-hand, the runners will warm-up and stretch their legs to DJ music accompanied by a colorful light show and end up in the party block to receive their awards. For more information, contact John Sammartano, Race Director (772) 321-6003. Mail/Drop off Race Entry Forms and checks, register in person at Runner’s Depot or visit www.covb.org for all the details. While you are visiting the website, please note all of the generous sponsors who are helping to make this event possible and take a minute to visit their booth and say thanks!

In the end, when I arrive to work at these coming events, I will take the time to reflect back on the process and look around to see my fellow Vero-ites celebrating together; meeting, mingling, drinking, eating, singing, dancing, running and just having a great time in this beautiful city we call home. Ultimately, if I can lend my hand to help make this community feel like the warm, caring, supportive and giving community that I know it to be, and hopefully raise some money for the City Recreation Department at the same time, then I have done my job. I gave back some of myself to my community. It’s a good lesson at holiday time, or any time of the year.  I am proud that I have helped to make that happen.

Come to the Holiday Rec Events at Royal Palm Pointe on December 6…. …..Partake, Enjoy and be Proud of Vero Beach!

Happy Holidays!

Beverly S. Paris, Paris Productions