‘End of an era’: Mount Dora Marina says farewell to annual Christmas lights

A longtime Central Florida holiday tradition is coming to an end.The Mount Dora Boating Center Marina announced Wednesday that it is permanently ending its annual Christmas light display after more than 30 years.In a Facebook post, the Lewis family shared that owner Joe Lewis has spent decades creating the display, which has grown to more than 1 million lights in recent years. They said the decision was bittersweet, but Lewis is ready to slow down and enjoy more time with his family during the holidays.“For over 30 years, my dad has poured his heart, soul, and countless hours into creating this display for the community to enjoy,” the post said.The marina’s lights became a popular stop during Mount Dora’s holiday season, drawing families to the waterfront each year. The family thanked everyone who visited and helped turn the display into a community tradition.“The lights will no longer shine on the waterfront,” the family wrote, “but the memories they created will live on for generat