Moving toward Thanksgiving in the Cloud!

Downtown St. Cloud presents Merry Navidad on Friday, Nov. 10 from 5-9 p.m. This is Santa’s very first stop of 2023 in downtown St. Cloud. Celebrate Latin/Hispanic Christmas traditions. Santa will be available for free photos at Infinite Designs Workshop on 11th St. Enjoy milk and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies with Santa provided by Savvy Sweets. There will also be pop-up vendors, shops open late and more.

The fifth annual St. Thomas Aquinas 5k, a run to benefit the school’s campus safety and security, will be on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 8 a.m. The fee for this Chip time run is $35 for ages 13 and up and $15 for ages 4 to 12. Besides helping this great cause, runners will experience a beautiful race course, live online results, race t-shirt, finisher medals and more.

Location for this event is St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, 800 Brown Chapel Road. The course heads north on Brown Chapel, east on 5th Street, north on Columbia, west at Lakeshore to Dakota, turn around and finish at the school.

The Fall Fiesta 2023 takes place on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Checkout the artisans, crafters and other vendors. There will be entertainment, carnival games, activities for kids of all ages, raffles, bingo, rummage sale and food. For more information, email development@stacschool.com.

A free Veteran’s Resource Fair takes place on Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sponsored by the City of St. Cloud, this event will be held at Veterans Park, 1201 13th St. For more information, call 407-957-7243.

The application period for the City of St. Cloud’s 2024 Citizens Academy is open through Friday, Nov. 10. The classes will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 with classes held each Tuesday through the Tuesday, Feb. 27. For more information and to apply, go to https://www.stcloudfl.gov/2156/Citizens-Academy.

Currently, there is a Thanksgiving Food Drive sponsored by the City of St. Cloud at the Chris Lyle Aquatic Center. These items are in need: boxes of stuffing, yams, mini marshmallows, jars of turkey gravy, boxes of mash potatoes, canned cranberries, canned green beans, canned corn, corn muffin mix and brown sugar. Items will be collected until Friday, Nov. 17.

Hopkins Heroes and Help Against Hunger East Osceola are currently holding a Thanksgiving Food Drive until Monday, Nov. 13. They are looking for the following items: turkey, boxes of stuffing, yams, mini marshmallows, jars of turkey gravy, boxes of mash potatoes, canned cranberries, canned green beans, canned corn, corn muffin mix, pies, grocery store certificates and brown sugar.

This group will be able to pick up your donations at your convenience. For more information, contact Stephanie Gilbert at 407709-7394 or go to www. hopkinsheroes.com.

The City of St. Cloud will host a Community Thanksgiving Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 18 at the St. Cloud Community Center, 3101 17th St., with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. City representatives will serve a traditional holiday meal. This event is free to the public. If you are able, bring a covered dish or dessert to share. Non-perishable food items will be accepted to donate to the St. Cloud Community Pantry. For more information, call 407957-7243.

Turkey Trot – Homeschool Edition takes place on Friday, Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. at Hopkins Park. This activity is for ages 5-14 and includes relays, games, food and fun. The fee is $10 per participant. To register, go to https:// webtrac.stcloudfl.gov or call, 407-957-7243.

The City of St. Cloud hosts their Annual Walk in the Stones on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mt. Peace Cemetery on 10th St. This is a free outdoor walking museum where you will learn about the artifacts and relics of St. Cloud’s history. Historian-led walking tours begin at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. For more information, call 407-957-7243.

Superior Rentals and Retail will hold a Fall Craft Show and Vendor Extravaganza on Sunday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Located at 3223 13th St. Proceeds will benefit One Heart for Women and Children, supporting domestic violence assistance. Interested vendors should call 407-556-3830.