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Be Warned!

One of Florida 's most important historical landmarks prepares to celebrate the holidays.

As Daytona continues its push toward more family friendly and trendy fare, there are parts of her history that will remain unchanged. The storied and thoroughly modern Speedway traces its roots to blue-collared stock cars racing along the beach. The new Destination Daytona and recent spread of Bike Week up the coast and throughout Volusia County post-dates a time when Main Street was the beating heart of Daytona, when the smells of gasoline, rubber, bratwurst and a good time were all the lure people needed to visit.

And as the coastline of Ormond, Daytona and New Smyrna continues its transformation, the beacon that helped provide safety for our nation's maritime seafarers still stands proudly and defiantly, albeit in the shadows of condos and progress. With its purpose clearly defined in a time of GPS and the Coast Guard, Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, like the rest of Daytona's unique history, remains a fixture in the community and noteworthy to tourists who might be passing through. So it is with that in mind that on Saturday, December 17, they will be throwing a holiday party for a community that has consistently supported and marveled at Florida 's greatest nightlight.

"It's kind of our contribution to the holiday season," Bob Callister, Programs Manager of the lighthouse, said. "Our mission is to reveal the grounds' history, give some insight on who the keepers were that actually lived here and help people understand about the U.S. Lighthouse Service's duty to her country. Before the Coast Guard took over, the existence of this place was an integral part of ocean transit and American trade."

The celebration is geared towards kids and family, with activities and tours highlighting the site's exhibits and tradition. The day will feature historical reenactments that chronicle the life of a keeper, as well as Mrs. Flagler, one of Florida 's most beloved residents, and will include workshops where children can make turn of the century holiday ornaments. There will also be storytellers on-hand to recant lighthouse and holiday stories, as well as carolers singing familiar tunes the way they might have sounded in the early 1900's.

"It's educational, of course, but we wanted it to be a fun-type of thing that the kids can get involved in," Callister said. "The tricky thing is always what the weather wants to do, but we're hoping that we'll get a little help from Mother Nature. It's a great opportunity for residents to come out and meet each other, especially if they've never gotten the chance to see the lighthouse, or haven't seen it after its renovation in 2001."

Featuring eight onsite buildings, as well as the tower itself, the grounds exist as one of the most complete and well-manicured historical landmarks in the nation. Guests are treated to several exhibits about the tower's restoration, and in February, a new exhibit will be unveiled about the tower's original construction. Also in February, Callister said, look for a possible exhibit on the history of the original cars that used to race around the North Turn before heading into Turn 3. They are looking into possibly having a few of the original cars on premises for spectators to check out.

The Ponce de Leon Lighthouse Preservation Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of the maritime and social history of the Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station. For more information on the lighthouse and its storied and unusual history, visit www.ponceinlet.org . For information on donations, contact Bob Callister at 386.761.1821, ext. 18 or Ellen Henry at ext. 17.