DeBary Hall Plans Spooky October Events

Posted On: September 13, 2023

DeBary Hall Historic Site invites guests to visit this fall for some fun and festive events. 

Lemonade Lecture: Lake Apopka’s Rise, Fall, and Renaissance: 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. Dive into the story of Florida’s fourth largest lake and how it fueled life around its shores for thousands of years with Jim Crescitelli, director of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation. This presentation is part of the free Lemonade Lectures series sponsored by Volusia County. Light refreshments and lemonade will be served.

Master Gardener: Gardening by the Light of the Moon: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10. There is a whole host of pollinators and fragrant flowers that only come out at night. Join Volusia County master gardeners to learn more about these night bloomers and their visitors.

Historic Bike Tour: Spring-to-Spring Trail: 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11. Travel back in time on two wheels during a nine-mile guided bike tour from DeBary Hall Historic Site to Lake Monroe Park and back. Learn about the area’s history, from the Native Americans who inhabited the region thousands of years ago to the development of Gemini Springs Park, and more. Participants must bring a bicycle and helmet. Sunscreen and bottled water are recommended. Children over 12 are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required; call 386-668-3840 or email lperez@volusia.org to register.

Get Stepping with Line Dancing Lessons: 5:30 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 12 and 19. Line dancing is a great way to exercise your mind and body. Join DeBary Hall staff for a fun evening full of learning beginner line dances to various music genres. There is a $3 charge for each class. Registration is required for line dancing; call 386-668-3840 or email lperez@volusia.org to sign up.

Story time at DeBary Hall: 9:30 a.m. Fridays, Oct. 13 and 20. Children are invited to Kids Corner, a free story time featuring stories, songs, and activities. The program is designed for preschoolers, but children of all ages are welcome.

Lemonade Lecture: Back to Native: 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. Discover the unbe-leaf-able benefits of easy-to-grow Florida native plants with Green Volusia’s Holly Giles. Hear about the history of native plants in this area including the beautyberry and learn how to make beautyberry bug spray. This presentation is part of the free Lemonade Lectures series sponsored by Volusia County. Light refreshments and lemonade will be served.

Creepy Candlelight Tours: 7 and 8:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, and Saturday, Oct. 21. Candlelight will lead the way while guests listen to scary tales from the past on a spooky tour designed to startle and activate the imagination. Guests can expect mild frights as they are escorted to the DeBary mansion and enter the narrow hallways and darkened rooms once occupied by 19th century wine merchant Frederick deBary and his family. Reservations are required, and space is limited per tour; call 386-668-3840 to make a reservation. Admission is $10 per person. Children under 12 will not be admitted.

Lemonade Lecture: Trains: 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. All aboard for this exciting presentation on the history of trains in Volusia County. Join Larry Powers, president of the Port Orange Railway Society, as he discusses the first train to Daytona, the early Florida East Coast Railway, and the history of the Port Orange Historical Railway Depot.

All events will take place at DeBary Hall Historic Site, 198 Sunrise Blvd. Registration is requested for all programs unless otherwise noted as required; call 386-668-3840 or email lperez@volusia.org to sign up.