Holiday event attracts bustling crowds

Residents and visitors enjoy activities, food, music, holiday spirit, and sense of community

Streams of people (an estimated 1,500) filled Lakeside’s sidewalks on Friday, November 23, for the Second Annual Lakeside Holiday Event (see video).

Street corners hummed with activities that included painting tattoos, whipping up cotton candy, pouring sipping chocolate, drawing caricatures, serving up pizza, and writing (and mailing) letters to Santa.

It was all free, even the rides on the kiddie train and horse-drawn carriages.

People from Flower Mound and across DFW mingled happily to the vibrations provided by the live music beamed from the plaza.

“We walked up to the event with a group of neighbors,” said Lakeside resident Jenice Pizzuto. “It had a main street feel.

Over 200 runners participated in the Lakeside 5K and Family Fun Run benefiting Ally’s Wish on November 3.

Lakeside provides scenic backdrop for 5K course

Over 200 runners participated in The Lakeside 5K and Family Fun Run on Saturday, November 3, to benefit Ally’s Wish Inc., a Flower Mound nonprofit devoted to granting the last wish to young, terminally ill mothers with children (read more).

In addition to the 5K race, the event included a one-mile Fun Run, family-friendly activities, and music.

The 5K course started near the plaza and wound its way along Lakeside streets, by its parks, and down to the site of Lakeside Village.

Robert Avila placed first in the 5K with Steve Zinecker coming in second place and Marcele Rebodos third.

“I loved the music piped along Lakeside Parkway, the kids loved the Frozen characters, and the stores were packed.”

Nineteen Lakeside merchants offered activities, food, or beverages in front of their stores.

Santa, of course, was there along with his personal photographer to capture images of children in his lap.

“It was awesome!” said Amber Russell, owner of Amber Michelle Salon. “A great mix of familiar faces and even more new faces, which is what we hope for.

“My children enjoyed walking around with my husband and taking part in all the festivities as I catered to the crowd and represented our business.

“We love these events and the awareness it brings to this amazing community and our business.”

“We had quite a bit of foot traffic inside the store,” commented Brie Washington, owner of Briesly’s Boutique, who offered a drawing for gift cards that required people to enter the store to drop in their ticket.

Magen Miller performed on the Lakeside Music Series stage from 6 to 6:45 pm, followed by an abbreviated Frozen show designed for the children.

“This skit was new this year,” said Rebecca Everitt, a development partner at Realty Capital Management, the master developer of Lakeside DFW.

“We wanted to create a special moment for the children.”

They did. Children on their dad’s shoulders were filled with wonder as the stage show climaxed with the Frozen characters singing “Let It Go.”

With people filling the plaza and beyond to capacity, Flower Mound Mayor Steve Dixon directed the lighting of Lakeside’s 30-foot Christmas tree at 7 pm.

Lakeside HOLIDAY Event

“It was very meaningful to see so many families come together to celebrate the spirit of the season,” said Mayor Dixon.

”Coming together as a community to make memories is what Flower Mound is all about,” he added.

Jon Christopher Davis entertained the crowd after the tree lighting with a mix of Christmas tunes, classic rock and country until 8:30.

The tightly organized event included Flower Mound policemen patrolling crosswalks to keep the cars moving and pedestrians safe.

“What struck me,” said Lakeside resident Kathy Frisbie, “was how the stores were filled.

“It was a true example of Lakeside’s live/work/play lifestyle -— an event that made me very proud to be a Lakesider.

“We saw all of our neighbors and their families truly come together, not just in support of our neighborhood, but to ‘show it off’ to the rest of Flower Mound!”

Follow