On Tap this weekend

The 117th edition of Georgefest marches into downtown Eustis this weekend with a carnival, fireworks, parades and music festival to help celebrate our founding father's birthday.

At the Lake Eustis Museum of Art, the Lee Andrew Bianco: Period Costume Portraits exhibition opens Friday.

Soul food is on the menu at Royal’s Soul Food Festival Saturday in The Villages, and community leaders will be honored at the Leesburg Black Heritage Black-Tie Gala on Friday.

In Clermont, take some time for Healthy Living Day at Cagan Crossings Farmers’ Market Friday. Or spruce things up for spring at the Clermont Home and Vintage Market on Saturday.

Music also lights up the stage this weekend with a Frankie Vallie tribute show Friday in Mount Dora, and at the Orange Blossom Opry with Connie Smith on Friday, Aaron Tippin on Saturday and Motown music favorites with The Motortown All-Stars on Sunday.

117th Annual Georgefest

It’s everything George in celebration of our first president this weekend at Georgefest in Eustis. Georgefest is the longest running celebration of George Washington’s birthday in Florida, and the second longest running event in the entire United States.

The Georgefest Carnival is set to kick off at 5 p.m. Thursday in downtown Eustis and runs through 9 p.m. Sunday. Thursday night is wristband night, with $15 tickets only available presale for unlimited rides.

Friday night ends with a bang at the Georgefest Firework Show at 9 p.m. over Lake Eustis.

Show off your patriotic pup at the Dog Jog at 9:30 a.m. Saturday during a one-mile walk or jog for dogs and their human companions beginning at the corner of Bay and Stevens streets. Prizes will be awarded for top finishers and the most patriotic pup.

The Into the Future themed George Washington Parade Celebration steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday through downtown.

The second annual Golden Triangle Jazz Festival takes the stage at the band shell beginning at noon on Saturday. The day will be filled with high school and middle school jazz bands vying for prizes. There will be special performances from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. by the Same is Lame Jazz Ambassadors, the University of Central Florida Jazz Ensemble and the University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble, followed by the awards ceremony at 9:15 p.m.

The Plain White T’s will be the headlining band for Sunday’s grand finale performance. The Grammy Award-nominated multi-platinum group is scheduled to perform from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Ferran Park bandshell.

Soul Food Festival

Royal’s Soul Food Festival serves up delicious fare from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Rohan Recreation Center, 850 Kristine Way in The Villages. Dinner is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Bring your own bottle if you wish — cups, water and ice are provided. This year’s event will feature the soulful sounds of Blanche Johnson (Blanche J), a Wildwood High School graduate who is rocking the music industry. The menu includes barbecue, baked or fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, perlo rice, collard greens, green beans, corn bread, dinner rolls, sweet potato bread, 7-Up pound cake, peach cobbler and sweet and unsweetened tea.

Cost: $30 per person, reservations required.

Details: eventbrite.com/e/soul-food-fest-2019-tickets-52864354708

Leesburg Black-Tie Gala

The Leesburg Black Heritage Black-Tie Gala, honoring notable people in the community, is Friday at the Morrison United Methodist Church Family Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Community Development Corp. of Leesburg, 314 S. Canal St.

Clermont Home and Vintage Market

Homebuilders, repair companies, service companies and décor will be at the Home and Vintage Market in Clermont from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday on West Montrose Street. Over 70 vendors will be on hand for everything from Shabby Chic to yard services along with helpful seminars.

Lee Andrew Bianco: Period Costume Portraits

The Lake Eustis Museum of Art will host an opening reception with refreshments from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday for the Lee Andrew Bianco: Period Costume Portraits exhibition. The exhibition features classical realism in portraits from the local Steampunk Festival, Renaissance Faire and Scottish Highland Festival and is open Saturday through April 13.

Healthy Living Day

The Cagan Crossings Farmers’ Market in south Clermont hosts a Healthy Living Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday The event includes health-related vendors, activities and the Big Red Bus for blood donations.

Details: CaganCrossings.com or facebook.com/caganfarmersmarket

Tribute to Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons

Enjoy a night of harmony and oldies with the Let’s Hang On! Frankie Vallie tribute show 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Mount Dora Community Center, 520 N. Baker St. The 10-piece live stage show celebrates the music with spot-on vocals and crisp choreography.

Tickets: $25 to $45

Details: mountdoraproductions.com or 352-383-2627

Orange Blossom Opry

It’s a big weekend at the Opry with Country Music Hall of Fame artist Connie Smith at 7:30 p.m. Friday, country music star Aaron Tippin for shows at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and the Motortown All-Stars singing the Motown favorites for shows at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Details: obopry.com