Sarasota's David Farr picks up 21-month-old Henry Farr, who is dazzled by the giant ornaments on the tree on The Green during the Mall at UTC's ongoing holiday celebration.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
East County
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Whether Christmas shopping or not, visiting University Town Center during the holidays has become a local tradition.
Families visit to see the light show, go ice skating, take horse-drawn carriage rides, and watch fireworks, circus performances and Christmas movies.
While the Rice family travels to UTC annually from Wimauma, the Williams family visits pretty much every weekend because they live down the street in Lakewood Ranch.
Frances Rice started their family tradition by bringing just her daughters, 8-year-old Isabella Rice and 18-year-old Syriana Noake, to UTC to see the lights. Now, her extended family takes the trip, too. This year, they watched the lights from the back of a horse-drawn carriage.
Tilly Williams said she appreciates the kid-friendly atmosphere inside and outside the mall.
The Williams family lives nearby in Lakewood Ranch, so they spend a lot of time at UTC throughout the holiday season.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Visitors can step inside the mug of hot cocoa for a photo op.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Wimauma's 8-year-old Isabella Rice and 18-year-old Syriana Noake have visited UTC during the holidays before, but this is the first year that they're taking a horse-drawn carriage ride.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The Rice family travels from Wimauma to UTC each year before Christmas.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
This is Robert Willis Elementary School's entry for the annual UTC Holiday Greeting Card Contest.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Even without a scheduled event, families are gathered on The Green at UTC Nov. 30.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Bradenton's Laiza Cortez and Ava Chavez have been to UTC before, but this is their first time seeing the lights.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The light show can be viewed from a horse-drawn carriage.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
New York's 3-year-old Luz is at UTC with her mom Nayda Morales. They're visiting friends in Tampa.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Members of Sarasota's Christian Congregation in North America visit UTC following a church service Nov. 30.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The ice skating rink at UTC is open through Jan. 4.
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.
