Some holiday traditions can be downright ugly. But that’s what makes them fun.
With countless competitive ugly sweater parties happening around
The Villages this holiday season, the Rainbow Family and Friends Club of The Villages didn’t want to be outdone. The group hosted its own Ugly Holiday Sweater Party on Dec. 16 at Belle Glade County Club.
The event was one of several Christmas parties and events bringing diverse communities in The Villages together for the holiday season.
Rainbow Family and Friends Club members wore sweaters featuring fur and fuzz, tassels and LED Christmas lights, and bright colors with dangling ornaments.
No matter where their sweaters ranked on the ugly scale, guests were excited to greet each other or show off their outfits. Members competed for ugliest sweater with the prize being a free ice cream voucher to Mystic Ice Cream Cafe in Fruitland Park. Lourdes Barhorst said the garish, over-the-top sweaters inspired members to dub the event “Ugly Christmas.”
“The way we are growing, it’s amazing,” said the Village of Monarch Grove resident and club’s webmaster. “We have 10,000 names in our database. We are a part of a big community.”
Barhorst said the party was a way for members to celebrate the holidays and the club’s 18 years of existence. She said its members are very welcoming and encourage people to participate in any of the 80 events and activities the club promotes on its calendar each month. Tracy Osborne greeted guests as they arrived and was looking forward to having a good time at the holiday celebration that included live entertainment from Cathy Kerns.
Osborne, of the Village of Osceola Hills, agreed with Barhorst that the Rainbow Family and Friends Club provides a safe space for people to mingle with friends they’ve made over the years or to meet new people.
Also embracing diversity among friends during the holidays, The Asian American Club hosted its Holiday Variety Show.
Nearly 20 performers showcased their talents during the event that took place on Dec. 17 at La Hacienda Recreation Center.
Performers included Donna Gum, a steel drummer and bagpiper. During the event, attendees enjoyed meals they brought with them followed by the holiday show that started at 7 p.m.
Bob Trask, who has been with the club for eight years, said although the club hosts similar holiday events every year, this year’s celebration gave members a break from tradition.
“The goal was to bring in some of the American side of the club,” said the Village of Caroline resident. “The other 11 months of the year, we try to bring Asia to The Villages with food and teaching the culture’s background during key events. This is a little out of step with that.”
Understanding that not everyone can be with family during the holidays, Lawrence Parker feels his Christmas party event is a way for friends to become like family during a special time of year.
As founder and official DJ for Uptown Jammin, an indoor dance party event held once a month, Parker said he was excited to help make people merry during the UJam Christmas Dinner-Dance Party on Dec. 19 at SeaBreeze Recreation Center.
The Village of Piedmont resident said DJing for the Uptown Jammin has been his hobby for years. “This is our fifth year of Christmas with Uptown Jammin and it gets better and better every year,” Parker said. “Everyone always gets in the Christmas spirit. We play Christmas music the first half and party music for the second half. It’s just a fun night.”
“Uptown Jammin is here for The Villages,” he said. “I like to think Uptown Jammin’ brings a little home to people who can’t go for the holidays. We make it Christmas. We don’t have snow, but we have our blue skies and cool breeze for a Florida Christmas.”
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
