World’s best triathletes compete this weekend at Speedway

This weekend, the Daytona International Speedway will host hundreds of triathletes for CLASH Daytona, an endurance sports festival previously known as Challenge Daytona. The main event is Sunday, Dec. 5, and features a mid-distance race. There will also be races for athletes of all ages and abilities as part of the weekend’s activities. Spectators are welcome to attend the events.

Sunday’s competition starts with a 1.2-mile swim in the 29-acre Lake Lloyd, followed by a 56-mile bike ride throughout streets in Daytona Beach, west on U.S. 92 to DeLand and back to the speedway, followed by a 11.2-mile run at the world-famous track.

Motorists can expect major traffic delays along the route of the bike race from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Motorists coming to Daytona Beach from DeLand are encouraged to take alternate routes including I-4, S.R. 40 and S.R. 44, instead of U.S. 92.

Daytona Beach police officers and personnel will close most intersections on the course with assistance from the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol and law enforcement officers from Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach. More details, including the bike course route, are available online.

Community invited to Education and Community Town Hall Meeting

Public invited to Education and Community Town Hall Meeting

The community is invited to an Education and Community Town Hall Meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the city’s Midtown Cultural and Education Center. The meeting is sponsored by Daytona Beach NAACP and VCAALC and is in partnership with the School District of Volusia County and Daytona Beach Commissioner Paula R. Reed.

Speakers at the meeting include:
• Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick L. Henry
• District 2 School Board Member Anita Burnette
• Volusia County School Superintendent Dr. Ronald "Scott" Fritz & staff
• Principals from Turie T. Small Elementary, Palm Terrace Elementary, Campbell Middle School and Mainland High School
• Community and educational leaders

Get involved with the city by serving on an Advisory Board

The city is seeking applicants to fill vacancies on several of its advisory boards. Serving on a volunteer board is a rewarding experience and an excellent way to contribute to the quality of life in your community.

The following boards have current vacancies:

Beachside Redevelopment Board
Beautification/Tree Advisory Board
Board of Adjustment
Board of Building Codes
Downtown Redevelopment Board
Historic Preservation Board
Leisure Services Board
Mayor’s Alliance for Persons with Disabilities
Midtown Redevelopment Board
Nuisance Abatement Board
Peabody Auditorium Advisory Board
Personnel Board

Citizens interested can submit an application online. For more information, call Assistant City Manager Bettye Goodman at (386) 671-8203.

Drop off toys to city fire stations by Dec. 10

Make sure to drop off toys to the city’s fire stations by Friday, Dec. 10. The Fire Department is collecting toys for children in need this holiday season. Residents can drop off new, unwrapped toys at any of the city’s seven fire stations, which are located at 301 S. Beach St., 126 Botefuhr Ave., 945 N. Halifax Ave., 1675 Mason Ave., 627 N. Nova Road, 2020 Beville Road and 2545 LPGA Blvd.

Holiday Parade and Activities on Beach Street Dec. 11

Kick off the holidays with activities downtown Saturday, Dec. 11. Make sure to arrive early and enjoy being downtown as we ring in the holidays together in Daytona Beach!

1 to 5 p.m. December Wine Walk
The Riverfront Shops of Daytona is hosting its December Wine Walk from 1 to 5 p.m. Participants can stroll through unique shops and enjoy live music while tasting fine red and white wines served by participating merchants. Free public parking is available behind the shops on Beach Street for the event.

5 p.m. Hot Chocolate at Fire Station #1
Sponsored by Brown & Brown Insurance, stop by Fire Station #1 at 301 S. Beach St. starting at 5 p.m. to grab a cup of hot chocolate.

6 p.m. Bright Lights & Merry Nights Parade
The city’s Bright Lights & Merry Nights Christmas Parade is presented by Brown & Brown Insurance and supported by the Daytona International Auto Mall and Southern Stone Communications.

The parade begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Bellevue Avenue and Beach Street and travels north on Beach Street to Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard (new end location this year). The parade will travel in the northbound lane once it reaches Orange Avenue and heads north to Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard. Parade attendees will be able to sit in the median from Orange Avenue to Bay Street.

The Judging/review area will be at Magnolia Avenue/Jackie Robinson Parkway and Beach Street. Parade winners will be announced the week of Dec. 13.

Parade attendees should plan to arrive early and bring chairs and/or blankets. Free public parking is available behind the shops on Beach Street.

Tickets on sale for George Thorogood & The Destroyers

Enjoy a performance by George Thorogood & The Destroyers performing at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, at Peabody Auditorium.

Since 1975, George Thorogood & The Destroyers have sold more than 15 million albums, played more than 8,000 ferocious live shows and built a catalog of classic hits, including “Who Do You Love,” “I Drink Alone,” “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer,” “Move It On Over” and “Bad To The Bone.” Now “one of the most iconic bands in rock & roll history” (Rapid City Journal) celebrates it all with their Good To Be Bad Tour: 45 Years Of Rock.

Ticket prices range from $40.50 to $65.50 plus applicable surcharges and can be purchased online or from 10 a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Friday at the Peabody Box Office.

Ocean Center hosts Light Up Volusia Saturday

The Ocean Center will host the 11th annual Light up Volusia from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, on the east plaza of the convention center. The public is invited to kick off the holiday season with this free holiday event, complete with a tree lighting.

Frank Scott, morning radio host on 104.7 Rock of Daytona, will emcee the night’s events. Highlights include live performances by The Love Band and America’s Got Talent season 10 finalist Benton Blount, as well as the traditional lighting of the Ocean Center's holiday tree, complete with over 1,300 lights.

Parking is available for $10 in the Ocean Center lots or parking garage.

Enjoy the Daytona Beach Boat Parade Saturday night

Enjoy the Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade that starts at 6 p.m. this Saturday evening. Watch the boats travel south along the Halifax River starting at the Seabreeze Bridge.

Best viewing spots include anywhere on City Island, west end of the Veteran's Memorial Bridge (also known as the Orange Avenue Bridge), and the Halifax Harbor Marina on South Beach Street. Prizes are awarded in several categories including best lights, best sound, best theme and best new entry.