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Apopka DRC reviews four upcoming special events; several road closures to go to council
Summary
At its Oct. 15 Development Review Committee meeting, Apopka staff reviewed four special events — a retail event, a Christmas parade, a music festival and a firefighter fundraiser — and flagged road-closure permits and public-safety conditions that will go to City Council for approval.
The Apopka Development Review Committee reviewed four special-event permit applications on Oct. 15, 2025, and identified public-safety, security and road-closure steps that will go to City Council for final approval.
The discussion covered: Trader Maze Furniture & Decor (retail event), the Sertoma Club of Apopka Christmas Parade (Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.–noon), the Sunset Country Festival (January 2026 at the Apopka Amphitheatre), and the Apopka Fire Department/Firefighters Association “Fill the Boot” pumper-pull fundraiser (Saturday, Nov. 8, 4–9 p.m.).
Community development staff said the Sertoma Club parade will begin at Park Avenue and Third Street and end at Park Avenue and Votau Road, will use a VIP seating area near Kaitlyn Nelson Park with two 10-by-10 tents and a stage for an MC, and is expected to draw about 5,000 people. The parade route and proposed street closures will be forwarded to City Council for a road-closure permit.
Staff presented the Sunset Country Festival as a full-day music event at the Apopka Amphitheatre that also expects roughly 5,000 attendees. Because the festival will serve alcohol, staff said organizers will be required to hire a private security company and use off-duty police in addition to permitting tents (10x10, 10x20 and 10x30), food trucks and stage production. Parking was proposed for Barbecue Row and adjacent complex lots; staff said final layout and access will be worked out in follow-up meetings.
The Apopka Fire Department and the Apopka Firefighters Association’s Fill the Boot pumper pull was described as a free, family-oriented event where teams pull a loaded fire truck. Staff said Fifth Street will need to be closed for the event; the organizer expects about 500 attendees, no alcohol, 10-by-10 tents, food trucks and public parking. Police will be on site to manage the closure, and the road-closure request will go to City Council for approval.
Trader Maze Furniture & Decor was listed as the first event on the agenda; no substantive questions were recorded by committee members during the DRC review.
Committee members and department representatives routinely offered no additional comments on the items or said they had submitted any technical comments through the portal; staff said they will continue coordination with applicants to finalize maps, parking plans, tent permits and security plans before Council consideration.
The DRC did not take final action on any permits; the identified road closures and security conditions will be included in the formal permit applications that go before City Council.
