Karen MacDougall and her granddaughter Sloane Johnson love Music on Main, especially in December. Sloane is dressed as an Elf on the Shelf.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
East County
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The folding chairs were packed arm-to-arm on Lakewood Main Street for the December installment of Music on Main.
Shell and the Crabs were jamming tunes and rows of vendor tents lined the street. Although those are usual features of Music on Main, there were lots of holiday season features as well.
The Christmas tree lighting and an appearance by Santa elevated the event even further, and that helped the many vendor booths. Only an hour into the event, and 51 residents had signed up for library cards at the new Lakewood Ranch Library’s tent.
“We do over 50 cards every time we’re here,” Branch Manager Tiffany Mautino said. “It’s a good place for us to connect with the community.”
Grace Community Church sets up a kids zone every month at Music on Main, but the church outdid itself for December. From inflatable, winter-themed axe throwing to a giant Santa bounce house, toddlers to tweens were lined up to take their turns.
They were also lined up to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. Sloane Johnson stood in the line with her grandma, Karen MacDougall, who said the entire family has a tradition of attending the December Music on Main.
“The whole family is here, eight of us,” MacDougall said. “I love it.”
Grace Community Church provides the holiday-themed inflatables for Music on Main on Dec. 1.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Molly Meyer is laser-focused at the Snow Throw, which is the winter, inflatable version of axe throwing.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Karen MacDougall and her granddaughter Sloane Johnson love Music on Main, especially in December. Sloane is dressed as an Elf on the Shelf.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The Christmas tree on Lakewood Ranch Main Street is lit on Dec. 1 during Music on Main.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Santa and Mrs. Clause stay throughout the evening for photos in front of the Christmas tree.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
New Tara residents Janet and Bob Damron celebrate their first Christmas in Lakewood Ranch with a selfie in front of the newly lit Christmas tree on Main Street.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Bennett Pfeifer, 1, could sit in Santa's lap all night.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Sophia Emmons and Jersey Baldini stop for a picture in front of the tree. This is Emmons third year watching the tree light up on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Edgewater residents Todd and Viviana Disney are on bikes because they know better than to try to get a parking spot for Music on Main.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
A giant Santa towers over Lakewood Ranch Main Street. There's a bounce house inside his belly.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Assistant Branch Supervisor Callie Hutchison and Branch Manager Tiffany Mautino are signing residents up for library cards.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Residents pack Lakewood Ranch Main Street to listen to the band Shell and the Crabs at December's Music on Main.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Dwayne and Brandy Britton pull up on Dwayne's new golf cart.
Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.
