Enjoying Christmas on the Square 2022

Saturday, young dancers from the Dance Shop in Live Oak showed off their new skills for family and friends at the 38th Annual Christmas On The Square event.
-SVT Photos by Tami Stevenson

With more than 285 vendors this year, crowds packed Pine Avenue, SW in Live Oak, shown above, and every street where vendors were set up at the 38th Annual Christmas On The Square, Saturday. -SVT Photo

By Tami Stevenson

Live Oak, Fla., – Kicking off this Christmas season with a bang, the 38th Annual Christmas On The Square celebration in Live Oak was the largest yet, according to organizers. It is estimated that more than 35,000 visitors enjoyed good weather, Santa, music, dancing, shopping and great food along with the Lighted Christmas Parade at the close of the three-day celebration.

This was the first year they were able to go back to the full event with no COVID restrictions. Suwannee Chamber Executive Director and local florist Hillary Cannon, said she believes this is why the crowds were so large and they had more vendors than ever before, with 285 booths. “Even the Fun Run was bigger than it has ever been.”

As visitors made their way through the sea of people, vendors seemed happy with the turn-out and their sales. Many of them selling out completely before the end of the day on Saturday.

Fred and Tracy Allen, owners of Sawdust & Sunflowers based out of Mayo, said this was their second year at Christmas on the Square and both years had been really good for them.

Suwannee County Animal Shelter was thrilled they were able to adopt four dogs before noon on Saturday, during the event.

Natalia Ballesteros, from CNB Farm, was another vendor from Mayo, selling handmade soaps and other products from their farm-raised goats for her fourth year at Christmas On The Square. She said her sales were very good and was happy that so many people came out to attend the event.

Saturday, entertainers from local dance groups and choirs jam-pack the streets each year with family and friends waiting to watch their performances.

“This year we were very fortunate with Coca Cola stepping up for us and providing toys for every child that wanted to wait in line and meet Santa on Friday evening. They brought around 10 - 15 employees that actually handed out the gifts personally, took pictures with Santa and offered cookies and drinks. Coke really went all out for us this year,” said Cannon. “And everything is free to the community. I’m very, very thankful for our partnership with them and Marshall Beck from Busy Bee. Busy Bee provides us with all of the snow on the square (around 30 tons), which is a huge task, as Friday continues to grow.”

Cannon said she is thankful for the the collaboration between the chamber, the City of Live Oak, the police department, the sheriff’s department and the Tourist Development Council. “It takes all of them to put this on. We are super happy that we work so well with all those departments and can all come together to make something like this happen for our community.” She also wanted to give a big thank you to the volunteers and the chamber’s board of directors who volunteered their time and energy for three days to make this event happen.

This vendor, Fred and Tracy Allen, owners of Sawdust & Sunflowers are based out of Mayo. It is their second year at Christmas on the Square and said both years have been really good. -SVT Photo

What began in 2014 as a Jewish Messianic Bible study turned into a congregation. Pastor/Rabbi Chris Cash from Way of the Messiah Church in Live Oak was there with Judah the Lion. The symbols on the front table are ancient letters discovered in the Canaanite region and are the pre-curser to the modern Hebrew letters. It says God’s Name, Yahweh (read right to left). Services are held at the Live Oak Community Church of God on Saturdays at 3 p.m. A Hanukkah celebration will be held Dec. 16, at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome, RSVP 863-800-0013, wayofthemessiah.org. -SVT Photo

Rotary Club raising funds for local scholarships. L-R: Bryan Blair from Walt’s Ford, Gloria Arroyo with Lafayette State Bank, Seth Wilkins from Edward Jones, Bill Nickerson, CEO of Advent Christian Village Craig Carter, and Josh Bagley with Jab Media. Their goal, Saturday, was $1,000. They raise approximately $4500 per year for scholarships for Suwannee County students. -SVT Photo

Suwannee County Animal Control Officer Denise Watson, shown left, with Jaylon Thompkins and Danay Brown, new forever home parents of Dice, a rescue dog from the shelter they had brought to the event. Dice was there 4th adoption, Saturday. -SVT Photo

Dice on his way to his forever home. -SVT Photo

Natalia Ballesteros, from CNB Farm, from Mayo, selling handmade soaps and other products from their farm-raised goats for her fourth year at Christmas On The Square.