Old Town has much to celebrate!
The entertainment district located along U.S. Highway 192 west of Kissimmee is commemorating its 40th year in January. Just ahead of the big celebration, Old Town will kick off the holidays with its 35th annual Cruiser Toy Drive this weekend (Dec. 5-6).
Dating back 40 years, Old Town was built to resemble an old Florida town—featuring historical architecture, distinctive storefronts, and tree-lined brick streets.
While its location has remained the same, the district has expanded over time— and has most recently been reconstructed and beautified under new ownership that began in 2016—now boasting more than 70 unique and affordable shops, restaurants, bars, rides, and family-friendly attractions, across 18 acres.
Among those 70 are a handful of tenants who have been a part of Old Town since the beginning, including Annie’s Gifts, Black Market Minerals, Kissimmee Popcorn, Ocean Wave Surf Shop, Old Town Portrait Gallery, Southern Breeze eatery, Teams sportswear and memorabilia and Wound ’N Around retro memorabilia.
“It really is a family feel when you talk to our tenants. Everything is owned and operated; owners are working in the stores,” said Thearon Scurlock, Vice President and General Manager of the Old Town Entertainment District. “The one thing that resonates with me is how committed the tenants are to the property.”
According to Old Town’s conducted guest surveys, a favorite merchant year after year is Black Market Minerals—a go-to destination for a diverse and unique range of gemstones, crystals, fossils, minerals, premade jewelry, salt rock lamps, incense, and more.
Two newer additions to Old Town, authentic Puerto Rican eatery El Cilantrillo and Maw’s Mountain Moonshine distillery have become favorites among locals and visitors alike.
“We feel very fortunate El Cilantrillo chose Old Town. Their standards are high, and the food is very good,” said Scurlock, also noting Maw’s Mountain Moonshine is a perfect compliment to Old Town’s southern charm.
A tradition since 1986, cars line the brick streets of Old Town every Saturday night for the Saturday Nite Classic Car Cruise. An event that opened 40 years ago with nearly 300 cars has become a popular, well-known weekly cruise that’s never missed a Saturday since opening weekend.
“That goes back to the devotion of the car cruisers,” said Scurlock. “We couldn’t do it without them.”
This weekend, Old Town will kick off its holiday season with the 35th annual Cruiser Toy Drive—a special edition of the weekly cruise. The two-day toy donation event will be held Dec. 5, from 3-8 p.m., and Dec. 6, from 1-8 p.m. Santa will visit the cruise both days from 5-8 p.m.
All toys donated by the cruisers and public will be given to the Osceola Council on Aging to be distributed to local children and young adults. Additionally, Old Town collects coins from its fountain throughout the year and will use the collected amount to purchase additional toys and bicycles for the cause.
“Our cruisers are so excited about their toy drive,” said Scurlock. “Hundreds of them show up both days and come early to drop off their toys. They get everyone into the spirit of giving.”
On Dec. 6, just ahead of the Saturday Nite Classic Car Cruise, the 18th annual holiday golf cart parade will kick off at 7 p.m. The parade features decorated golf carts of the nearby Sherwood Forest RV Resort. The cruise will begin at 8:30 p.m.
