Culture:

The City’s commitment to the arts is impressive and provides a full menu of entertaining diversions.  Residents and visitors take advantage of the many cultural and artistic offerings throughout the City.  The Bay Street Players, draw over 17,000 people to downtown each year with their award-winning performances in the beautifully renovated 1922 Historic State Theatre in Downtown Eustis.  The Lake Eustis Museum of Art and Eustis Historical Museum (Clifford House) are also near by. 

Eustis is proud of its heritage and its festivals.  The First Friday Street Festival, hosted by Eustis Main Street, attract thousands of residents and visitors each month to the historic downtown to enjoy food, friends, and live music.  The George Washington Birthday Festival and Parade is the nation’s second longest running celebration of the first president’s birth.  It is celebrated annually in February and is hosted by the Lake Eustis Area Chamber of Commerce. The African-American Heritage Festival and Parade is also one of the longest running celebrations in the region and is celebrated in February of each year.   Eustis takes pride in being the home of many notable people, including U.S. Astronaut David Walker and Edgar J. Banks, a famous archeologist from the 1920s who lived a life comparable to today’s legendary fictional character, Indiana Jones.

In 1993, Eustis was designated a Florida Main Street City and its Main Street Program has resulted in lakefront improvements and additions, including new stores and restaurants.  Downtown Eustis takes residents and visitors back to yesteryear.  Shops, located on Magnolia Avenue and Eustis Street, overlook brick sidewalks and tree shaded benches.

The City is deeply committed to clean and green neighborhoods with well-maintained streets and sidewalks.  Complementing the strong neighborhood philosophy are active community and regional parks with playground equipment.  The prominent park in Eustis, considered its pride and joy, is Ferran Park.  This jewel of the downtown area is ideally located on the shores of beautiful Lake Eustis. Beautifully landscaped, with walking paths and benches throughout, the park provides a glimpse into the City’s history, including the beautiful, restored sea wall running along the lakefront to the Mediterranean-style Alice McClelland Bandshell (listed on the national historic register) majestically located at the northern end of the park. Other facilities include a playground area, two gazebos, and picnic tables. Immediately adjacent to the park is the Eustis Aquatic Center with two heated pools, and the ever-popular Eustis Lake Walk. The Lake Walk, which extends for one-quarter mile along the shore, offers four gazebos with benches and 20 boat slips.