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Theatre Park renovations were funded in part by a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant awarded earlier this year and delivers on a multi-year vision to rebuild the park from the ground up. / Today Staff Photographer

ALACHUA ‒ Downtown Alachua was awash in twinkling lights, music, and holiday cheer Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, as crowds gathered for the city’s annual Christmas on Main celebration and tree lighting. This year’s event delivered all the traditions residents have come to love — snow play, crafts, carriage rides, and live performances — but also featured a major new addition: the long-awaited grand reopening of Theatre Park, revealed to the public for the first time since its full reconstruction.

Families began filling Main Street at 4:30 p.m., weaving between activity stations, craft tables, ornament-making booths, and local businesses that stayed open late to welcome visitors. Children lined up for bounce houses, face painting, and the ever-popular snow playground, while the aroma of cocoa and holiday treats drifted along the decorated corridor. As dusk settled, the downtown Christmas tree near Skinner Park was lit during a lively countdown, officially ushering in the season.

A New Stage for Main Street

One of the evening’s standout features was the debut of a dedicated performance stage — a first for Christmas on Main. Throughout the night, crowds gathered as Dance Alive, IndepenDance, Momentum Dance, Okito, and the Mebane Middle School Chorus brought nonstop entertainment to the street. Their high-energy routines and choral performances added a professional, celebratory atmosphere to this year’s event and kept spectators spilling into the surrounding sidewalks. The new stage was especially symbolic given its connection to the fully renovated Theatre Park just steps away.

Theatre Park Makes Its Holiday Entrance

For the first time since construction began, residents were able to step inside the redesigned Theatre Park —a striking combination of restored historic brick, new clay-fired pavers, Florida-friendly landscaping, and the park’s signature wrought-iron archway lit in warm red hues for the holiday season. Poinsettias, ornaments, and a glowing Christmas tree created an inviting scene, and visitors filled the space quickly, many pausing for photos under the “Merry Christmas” sign suspended inside the gateway.

The renovation — funded in part by a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant awarded earlier this year — delivers on a multi-year vision to rebuild the park from the ground up. Structural repairs, enhanced lighting, and a permanent stage area now make Theatre Park a functional venue for community gatherings, small concerts, theatre groups, and seasonal events.

For longtime residents familiar with the park’s deteriorating condition before reconstruction, Friday night marked a milestone. What once was an overgrown, flood-prone space is now an attractive, usable centerpiece of downtown — unveiled at the city’s most cherished holiday tradition.

Holiday Magic Up and Down Main Street

While Theatre Park captured significant attention, Christmas on Main offered festive experiences throughout the entire corridor. A violinist near the florist shop provided soft holiday music as families strolled between businesses. Children created reindeer food, decorated ornaments, and played games at stations sponsored by civic groups, local shops, and community volunteers.

Snow machines sent flurries drifting above the street once again — drawing delighted shrieks from children who leapt and spun beneath the sparkling cascade. Carriage rides rolled steadily throughout the evening, offering a nostalgic way to take in the decorated storefronts and vibrant crowds.

The Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the annual event in partnership with the City of Alachua and local sponsors, described the night as one of the most successful Christmas on Main celebrations yet.

“This year was truly special,” the Chamber shared. “The reopening of Theatre Park, the new performance stage, and the overwhelming support of our community made the evening unforgettable.”

A Tradition Growing Stronger

With the park now complete, both the City and the Chamber anticipate it will serve as a central venue for future downtown events — bringing renewed vibrancy to historic Main Street.

As families headed home Friday night with crafts in hand and holiday music still echoing through the corridor, one thing was clear: Christmas on Main continues to be a highlight of the season, and this year’s celebration marked the beginning of a new chapter for downtown Alachua.

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Customers line up outside the new Chick-fil-A in Alachua. The restaurant drew steady drive-thru and dine-in traffic as residents welcomed the city’s newest fast-food addition. / Today Staff Photographer

ALACHUA – Chick-fil-A opened its new Alachua location on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, drawing steady lines of customers throughout its first day as residents stopped in to try the city’s newest fast-food option.

The grand opening followed a private ribbon-cutting ceremony held the previous afternoon, Wednesday, Nov. 19, attended by representatives of the City of Alachua, local dignitaries, community leaders, the Alachua Chamber of Commerce, and the Alachua Police Department. Attendees signed a welcome wall inside the restaurant and posed for photos with Chick-fil-A’s well-known cow mascot.

In a statement, the Alachua Chamber of Commerce described the event as “a very exciting moment for our community,” offering congratulations to Operator Hayden Harbuck and his family on the new location and welcoming them to Alachua.

The restaurant’s opening capped several months of construction and preparation. While several fast-food chicken chains already operate in the city – including Popeyes, KFC, and Zaxby’s – the addition of Chick-fil-A has been a notable point of local interest, particularly among residents accustomed to traveling to Gainesville for the chain’s menu.

Opening day brought a consistent flow of vehicles along the drive-thru approach, and the dining room saw steady turnout during lunch and dinner hours. First-day customers sampled the chain’s familiar offerings, including its signature chicken sandwich, nuggets, waffle fries, salads, breakfast menu, and rotating seasonal items.

As part of an opening-day promotion, customers wearing cow-print attire received free food, a nod to Chick-fil-A’s long-running “Eat Mor Chikin” advertising campaign.

The restaurant follows the chain’s standard operating model, including its policy of being closed on Sundays, a practice observed across all Chick-fil-A locations nationwide.

Staffing for the new location includes a mix of local hires and experienced team members working to maintain service levels during the restaurant’s first days of operation. Chick-fil-A has not yet announced plans for a public ribbon-cutting or additional community events tied to the launch, but the restaurant is now open for regular hours Monday through Saturday.

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GAINESVILLE - City of Gainesville officials anticipate severe weather conditions, including temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, during the evening hours of Friday, Dec. 19. . The anticipated temperatures leads to the activation of the city's Cold Night Shelter (CNS) Program, and it is expected to remain in effect until overnight low temperatures rise above 45 F. The CNS program normally runs from Nov. 1 through March 31.

 St. Francis House and GRACE Marketplace at the Empowerment Center will provide Cold Night Shelter services to people in need of shelter as long as overnight temperatures remain below 45 F. The CNS program providers serve additional persons in need of shelter so that families and individuals desiring shelter will have a warm place to stay. St. Francis House provides temporary shelter that is appropriate for families, women and children. GRACE Marketplace primarily serves individual adults.

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ALACHUA – The Cleather Sr. Hathcock Community Center was filled with food, fellowship and holiday spirit recently as local seniors gathered for a Friendsgiving potluck that organizers say captured the essence of community togetherness.

The event drew a strong turnout, with attendees arriving carrying homemade dishes and favorite recipes to share. Tables were lined with a variety of holiday staples — pasta dishes, turkey, ham and an assortment of other specialties — creating a festive and abundant spread.

Organizers noted that the Friendsgiving potluck reflected the close-knit connections among area seniors and showcased the collaborative support of Crafty Gemini, the City of Alachua and local volunteers. They said the gathering demonstrated the value of shared meals and social engagement, both of which play an important role in “preventing social isolation and fostering strong community relationships.”

The potluck’s success has encouraged organizers to build on the momentum. They expressed appreciation for the enthusiastic participation and community support and said they are already planning to make Friendsgiving an annual tradition. The next event — a Christmas potluck — is scheduled for next month and is expected to draw an equally engaged crowd.

Residents interested in learning more about senior activities or volunteering can visit the City of Alachua website or call 386-462-0145.

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ALACHUA – Downtown Alachua has officially been selected as one of only 26 communities nationwide to receive a prestigious multi-year Levitt Foundation grant, bringing 10 free, family-friendly outdoor concerts to the city each year for the next three years.

The award comes through the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation’s competitive Levitt AMP program. This year’s grant cycle drew more than 300 proposals from across the United States. Alachua’s application — submitted by Josh’s Place, a local 501(c)(3) — was selected following a national public voting period and subsequent foundation review.

Under the award, Alachua will receive up to $40,000 per year in matching funds from 2026 through 2028 to produce the Levitt AMP Alachua Music Series. The series will showcase diverse artists and a wide range of musical genres, all with the goal of bringing people together, strengthening community ties, and supporting local businesses in the downtown district.

City officials celebrated the announcement immediately. In a public statement posted by the City of Alachua, officials said, “We are thrilled that Alachua has officially been selected.” The City also thanked residents for turning out in strong support during the public voting phase — a key milestone in advancing to the finalist round.

Organizers emphasize that this investment is more than a concert series; it is a multi-year catalyst for downtown revitalization. Consistent foot traffic, expanded evening activity, and a strengthened Main Street economy are all anticipated benefits.

“This is a milestone moment for Alachua. This is a win for our community vision. And this is the start of something big,” project partners said in their announcement, citing the role of residents, small businesses, and volunteers in pushing the effort across the finish line.

Josh’s Place will serve as the lead grantee and fiscal agent for the series. The Alachua Business League (ABL) will coordinate artists, vendors, and promotional efforts, while the City of Alachua Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will provide venue support, infrastructure assistance, and match funding.

The three-year series is expected to launch in spring 2026. Organizers say additional updates — including official concert dates, lineup announcements, and kickoff celebrations — will be released as planning advances.

For now, they say the community has reason to take pride.

“Out of more than 300 proposals nationwide, only 26 communities were chosen, and Alachua made the cut,” the announcement reads. “This is a huge win for our city, our small businesses, our families, and everyone who’s been working so hard to bring more life, music, and culture to Main Street.”

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A steady stream of visitors packs Main Street as local businesses, artisans and food vendors showcase their offerings at the 2025 Fall Festival. / Alachua County Today Staff Photographer

ALACHUA ‒ Downtown Alachua once again transformed into a lively corridor of music, food and color on Sunday as the Alachua Main Street Fall Festival returned to historic Main Street, drawing crowds that filled the heart of the city from end to end. The festival continued its tradition of showcasing local culture while supporting educational opportunities for area students.

Hosted by the Alachua Business League (ABL) with support from the City of Alachua and dozens of community partners, the event brought together families, visitors and longtime residents for an afternoon of celebration. As in past years, festival proceeds will help fund scholarships for local students planning to attend Santa Fe College — a mission that has become a hallmark of ABL’s community involvement.

Main Street was closed to traffic for the day, creating a pedestrian-friendly promenade lined with vendor tents, food trucks and demonstrations. Visitors moved at an easy pace between stalls offering handmade crafts, local art, boutique items and fall-themed goods. The aroma of barbecue and kettle corn mingled with the sound of live music drifting from the entertainment area, where local performers kept the energy high throughout the afternoon.

Children flocked to hands-on activity stations and family attractions, giving the event its signature mix of small-town charm and festival spirit. Adults browsed the wide selection of vendors or gathered near food stands for lunch and desserts, turning the street into a bustling outdoor marketplace.

Parking filled quickly as attendance grew through the day, with festival-goers using lots near downtown, City Hall and the area surrounding Skinner Park. Many chose to walk in from nearby neighborhoods, adding to the steady foot traffic that defined the event.

Vendor participation remained strong again this year, with booths sold out well in advance — a sign of continued support from local artisans, small businesses and regional makers. Organizers say the turnout reflects the festival’s important role in highlighting Alachua’s growing business community while keeping its small-town identity at the forefront.

Over the years, the Alachua Business League has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships through funds raised at the Fall Festival and other community events. That philanthropic purpose, blended with a festive atmosphere, is one of the reasons the event has endured as one of the city’s most anticipated annual traditions.

As photos from this year’s festival show, the 2025 event delivered the familiar warmth and hometown appeal that residents have come to expect. For those who missed it, organizers encourage planning ahead for next year — promising another day filled with entertainment, community spirit and opportunities to support Alachua’s next generation.

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