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Welcome Baskets When new families move into Woodgate, they are visited by a representative of our Membership Committee and given Welcome Baskets filled with freshly baked bread or muffins, fruit, other goodies and a Neighborhood Directory. Woodgate Day (Last Saturday of June) On June 26, 1976, the Leon County Commission issued a proclamation that stated: "In celebration of the American Bicentennial, the Leon County Board of Commissioners proclaim that June 26, 1976 be declared Woodgate Day in Leon County." Every year since, Woodgate neighbors celebrate a day of family fun on the last Saturday of June. The day begis early in the morning with a free pancake and sausage breakfast for the whole neighborhood. At 10:00 a.m., children and adults dress in costumes, riding bikes and pulling wagons gather for the costume contest and parade, which is led by a City fire truck. The parade travels down Huntington and Brandywine Drives and ends on Willow Wick where a fair is held with games, prizes and a hot dog lunch. That evening, a barbecue dinner for Woodgate adults is held in a neighbor's yard. Representatives from both City and County governments have attended including County Commissioner Dan Winchester, Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA) President Gregg Patterson, Betton Hills Neighborhood Association President Peter Butzin and Waverly Neighborhood Association President Ben Girtman. Easter Egg Hunt (Saturday before Easter) Hundreds of candy-filled eggs are prepared in advance and placed in several adjacent yards. Children are separated by age group so the little ones would have a competing chance at finding goodies. Afterwards, the children pop hundreds of balloons in the street. The event closes with a big piņata full of yet more candy, so everyone left with a full Easter basket. Garage Sale and Hazardous Waste Pickup (May) The Association holds an annual Neighborhood-wide Garage Sale and Hazardous Waste Pickup to assist neighbors with Spring-cleaning. An advertisement is placed in the Tallahassee Democrat and a sign is posted at the entrance island to attract "customers" to the neighborhood. The Leon County Hazardous Waste Center Mobile Unit arrives in the morning to collect residents' toxic trash. Chili Supper (October) The Association holds its annual Chili Supper in October. All Woodgate adults are invited and asked to bring a small pot of chili to add to the community kettle, a Woodgate tradition. Members played games and compete for prizes. In addition, the Fall General Meeting is held to give neighbors an opportunity to discuss and vote on issues concerning Woodgate. Luminarias (December) In December, the Association holds its annual Holiday Luminaria Display. This event was started in 1973 because of the energy crisis. The City discouraged the use of outdoor lighting because the President of the United States had asked the country to save electricity. As a Christmas gift to the City as well as to the neighborhood, Woodgate neighbors organized and agreed to what has become our annual evening display of luminaries, over 3,000 softly lit brown bags that light the winding streets of Woodgate. Christmas Open House (December) Each December Barbie and Jack Levins open their home for the Woodgate annual Holiday Open House. They are well known for their outside holiday display, and the decorations of their home's interior are equally creative and imaginative. If you've never been to this, you're really missing something. It's a fantastic sight. All Woodgate adults are welcome. |