by Joseph Lezza
It is no secret that the town of Celebration, Florida has a fanciful history. This 4,900 acre piece of land in the southern portion of the Reedy Creek Improvement District was originally owned and developed by The Walt Disney Company©, with the completion of construction in 1994. In the following years, Disney gradually divested itself from the town, eventually turning the land back over to the government of Osceola County in 2000, the same year I ran for and was elected to the office of Mayor. Since then, I have served this town proudly and have kept it my goal to retain the sense of magic* our builders imbued and that our residents and visitors came to know in those early years. Whether it’s the gladsome smiles of couples out paddle boating, the clip-clop patters of the horse carriages traversing our cobbles, the cavalcade of canines that march through the square during our annual “Posh Pooch” festival, or the fact that town by-laws mandate that home exteriors may only bear colors selected from the Ralph Lauren© Summer Squash palette, our burg has earned the sometimes sardonic moniker of “Stepford.” But, it’s a badge we wear with distinction. Because, like the great man who founded the animation studio which led to the film empire which led to the theme park company that built this town, we never stop seeking perfection.
While, undoubtedly, tourism in Central Florida is driven by the Mouse House just down the road, I, along with our citizens, have worked to establish our town as a welcoming place to stay for visitors that is also the perfect complement to a Disney vacation. Our idyllic and serene setting, away from the hustle and bustle of heavily trafficked thoroughfares like Palm Parkway and Seven Dwarves Boulevard, is the quiet respite perfect for individuals of all ages before and after your adventures in the Magic Kingdom™. Families can start their days with a little slice of Florida sunshine by heading down to the Mill Street Café, a town staple since our founding, where you can enjoy a hearty home-cooked breakfast and sample from the wide selection of freshly squeezed orange juices, available in no pulp, some pulp, medium pulp, mostly pulp and, for the family thrill-seekers, the “Pulptergeist.” (Bring floss for that one). Or, if you’re looking for a sweet way to end the day, pay a visit to our famous ice cream parlor, Coney Iceland, where you and your party can take on the challenge of the Bottom of the Barrel, consisting of two-scoops of all 31 flavors topped with brownie pieces, angel food cake, chocolate chip cookie crunch, crushed Oreos, walnuts, shredded coconut, Red Vines, Jujubes, Gummi Bears, Reeses Pieces, cookie dough bites, rainbow sprinkles, maraschino cherries, sliced bananas, hot fudge, caramel and butterscotch sauces and a whole can of whipped cream served in…you guessed it…an ethically-sourced, American-made, non-GMO 42 gallon wooden barrel. Talk about a mouthful!
Celebration is also a tourism destination in its own right and a fantastic place to spend a relaxing day off from the harried stresses of crowds and traffic. When the Walt Disney Company© separated with the town, all references to their intellectual property were removed and successfully re-imagined by our very own creative architects: the Board of Directors. Parents can enjoy a leisurely stroll along SunTrust© Lake while kids embark on a wilderness exploration through Verdant Green (formerly known as Chip & Dale’s Treasure Trail), an educational footpath experience featuring placards and fun facts where they can learn all about the many varieties of Floridian grasses from bouteloua dactyloides to stenotaphrum secundatum. Upon completion, the adventure continues at Celebration Town Hall, where you can apply your new found knowledge at our interactive touch-screen game “Match the Greenery with the Scenery.” Winners receive an official explorer badge from the Department of Parks & Recreation plus a photo opportunity with our town mascot, Larry the Long-Tailed Weasel!
And, for anyone who says “Florida has no seasons,“ I warmly invite you to visit during the September to November period, where our community is transformed into an Autumn paradise as tissue paper leaves of reds, ambers and persimmon blanket the streets and drift throughout the town. We’re also pleased to announce that, after last year’s incidents with severe gutter damage, doggie gastritis and badger deaths, these leaves are now 100% water soluble and pet consumption safe. How about Christmas, you may ask? Well, you haven’t experienced anything until you’ve spent the holidays here, when Celebration becomes a winter wonderland. Marvel at the sparkle of our outdoor twinkle light displays, enjoy some outdoor ice-skating and have your picture taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus on a nightly basis from December 1-January 1. And, if that’s not enough, take the fun to Main Street where local shopkeepers open their doors and provide complimentary sugar cookies and hot cocoa, a festive electric train offers a joyful yuletide jaunt and it snows (yes, snows!) every hour on the hour from 6-10pm. Our special snoap, a mixture of pure white liquid soap (biodegradable and non-toxic) delicately drifts from the rooftops and looks so real you’ll swear you were in the North Pole.
Local secrets and hidden gems like those I’ve already mentioned and much, much more await you inside this guide to our happy little hamlet. So, whether joining us for a quick visit or an extended stay, you’ll find it hard to resist the ineffable charm that teems from every nook and cranny of our beautiful village. Walt Disney World™ may be the place “where dreams come true,” but Celebration is where truth becomes dreams.
Belleville Barnes
Mayor, Village of Celebration
*pending trademark litigation
