December 7 / Santa Visit / 10 a.m. / Bloomingdale Neighborhood
December 9 / BNA Monthly Meeting / 7 p.m. / Bloomingdale Regional Library
January 27 / BNA Monthly Meeting / 7 p.m. / Bloomingdale Regional Library
Category Archives: Archived Gazettes
Celebrating the Season: December Holidays Around the Community
December in Bloomingdale always hits a little different — cooler mornings, neighborhood lights flicking on at dusk, and a whole lineup of traditions that help us slow down and reconnect before the year wraps. Whether you’re celebrating with long-held family traditions or just enjoying the collective cheer, this month brings something for everyone.
Hanukkah (Dec. 25–Jan. 2)
Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 25 this year and continues through January 2. Families will light the menorah each night, share traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot, and gather to honor the story of resilience at the heart of the holiday. Evening walks around Bloomingdale often reveal flickers of candlelight in windows — a quiet reminder of hope.
Christmas (Dec. 25)
By mid-December, the neighborhood is usually decked out in lights, wreaths, and inflatable mascots of all shapes and sizes. Families prepare for annual traditions, Christmas Eve services, and long-awaited gatherings. No matter how your family celebrates, the spirit of kindness and togetherness is what ties our community together this time of year.
Kwanzaa (Dec. 26–Jan. 1)
Kwanzaa begins on December 26 and honors African American culture through the Seven Principles — unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Families may light the kinara, share meals, and reflect on how these principles show up in their daily lives.
A Few Non-Traditional December Holidays
Because December isn’t just major celebrations — it’s also packed with fun little “holidays” that bring some extra personality to the month:
National Cocoa Day (Dec. 13)
The perfect excuse to make that cup of hot chocolate just a little extra. Whether you go for peppermint, marshmallows, or the classic mix-and-stir, it’s an easy way to warm up a chilly morning.
National Ugly Sweater Day (Dec. 19)
Break out the sweater with the jingle bells and questionable design choices — today is its moment. Many families and offices make a tradition out of wearing their loudest, sparkliest sweaters and snapping photos to commemorate the chaos.
Festivus (Dec. 23)
Born from a sitcom and adopted by fans everywhere, Festivus is a “holiday for the rest of us.” While we don’t expect aluminum poles popping up along Bloomingdale’s sidewalks, it’s always good for a laugh and a reminder not to take the season too seriously.
New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31)
Bloomingdale families wrap the month with their own traditions — from quiet nights in to celebrations with neighbors and friends. Whether you’re watching the ball drop, lighting sparklers, or setting resolutions for 2026, the night offers a moment of reflection and a fresh start.
A Seasonal Reminder
December is often our busiest month. If you’re decorating, traveling, or hosting, take a moment to stay safe and look out for one another. Community is one of Bloomingdale’s strongest traditions — and it’s especially meaningful this time of year.
New Traffic Pattern Dec. 3 at Kings and Bloomingdale
South Kings Avenue Closed the Night of Dec. 3
From 9 p.m. Dec 3 to 6 a.m. Dec 4, 2025, crews will restripe the intersection of South Kings and West Bloomingdale avenues in preparation for a new traffic pattern to accommodate construction of the South Hillsborough Pipeline. During this work, South Kings Avenue will be closed to all traffic between Buckhorn Creek Road and Greenbriar Drive, and West Bloomingdale Avenue will be reduced to a single lane in each direction from Sherry Drive to Buckhorn Circle. Motorists heading northbound on South Kings will be detoured to John Moore and Providence roads. Motorists heading southbound on South Kings will be detoured to Sherry Drive (just west of Kings Avenue) and Greenbriar Drive.
New traffic pattern begins Dec. 4 on South Kings Avenue
Beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, a new traffic pattern will be in place for South Kings Avenue for construction of the South Hillsborough Pipeline:
- South Kings Avenue will be reduced to one lane in each direction at West Bloomingdale Avenue, between Buckhorn Creek Road and Greenbriar Drive.
- The single northbound lane of South Kings will be redirected to the west side of the road just south of Bloomingdale.
- Motorists traveling on South Kings can still turn east or west onto Bloomingdale, but there will be no dedicated left turn lanes.
- A 35-mile-per-hour speed limit will be in effect.
Motorists should expect delays. Please use caution when driving, biking or walking in the area. Through-traffic may want to use John Moore and Providence roads as alternative routes for north-south travel.
This traffic pattern will be in place 24/7 for approximately four months until tunnel work is complete. Active construction work will occur Monday through Saturday. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will take a holiday break Dec. 25 – Jan. 4, but the lane closures remain in effect.
Crews will be working along South Kings Avenue on both sides of West Bloomingdale Avenue to excavate tunnel pits and install the 5-foot diameter drinking water pipeline beneath Bloomingdale Avenue.
Tampa Bay Water’s contractor crews are performing this work as part of the South Hillsborough Pipeline construction. For more information on the pipeline, visit SouthHillsboroughPipelin
BNA News
Welcome to the Neighborhood
As part of BNA’s new initiative, welcome baskets will be distributed to new neighbors every quarter. Baskets come with coupons to local businesses and a rack card from BNA. If you would like to donate anything for our new and future neighbors, contact Kiersten Sutton with BNA. We’re so excited to have you here!
Service Hours for Students
If you’re looking for a little help within your organization and want to offer service hours, make sure to reach out to Mindy Edgeman at Bloomingdale High School. She can help navigate you through the process so our students get the hours they need for Florida Bright Futures, and you get the most assistance from our Bloomingdale students.
Road Closures? Know Before You Go
Keep tabs on which roads are open and closed as the county begins construction on the new water pipeline. You can find closure dates and more information at https://southhillsboroughpipeline.com/
Santa Set to Roll Through Bloomingdale on December 7: Here’s the Full Route
Bloomingdale residents, get ready — Santa is trading in his sleigh for a ride in the Corvette during his neighborhood tour on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, cruising through our streets from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This annual tradition brings the community out to wave, snap photos, and soak up the holiday vibes as Santa and his crew make their way through Bloomingdale.
Photos from each stop will be posted on the Bloomingdale Neighborhood Facebook page and linked in the Bloomingdale Gazette one week after the event, so families can revisit the magic or download their favorites.
Full Route + Stop Locations
Santa will kick off the morning at the Park & Ride Parking Lot, then follow this route:
Segment 1
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Start at Park & Ride Parking Lot
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Right on Culbreath Road
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Right on Nature’s Way Boulevard
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Right on Kingsford Place
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Left on Peachfield Drive
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Right on Murray Dale Drive
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Right on Springfield
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Left on Orange Pointe Road to the SECOND intersection with Casaba Loop
📍 NEW STOP! Stop 1
Orange Pointe Road & Casaba Loop
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Right on Greenhollow Lane
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Right on Bell Shoals Road
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Left on Rosemead Lane
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Left on Canoga Park Drive
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Right on Bloomingfield Drive
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Left on Sweetleaf Drive
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Continue to Van Reed Manor Drive
📍 NEW STOP! Stop 2
Sweetleaf Drive & Van Reed Manor Drive
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Continue on Sweetleaf Drive
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Left on Emberwood Drive
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Left on Cedar Grove Drive
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Left on Fieldstone Drive
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Right on Canoga Park Drive
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Left on Sandy Creek Drive
📍 Stop 3
Sandy Creek Drive & Tyndale Drive
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Left on Tyndale Drive
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Left on Garnet Drive
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Right on Canoga Park Drive
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Left into Bloomingdale West Park
📍 Stop 4
Bloomingdale West Park
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Right on Canoga Park Drive
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Left on Garnet Drive
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Right on Bell Shoals Road
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Left on Glenhaven Drive
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Right on Nature’s Way
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Right on Nature’s Way
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Right on Lornewood Drive
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Left on Monte Lake Drive
📍 Stop 5
Monte Lake Drive & Dumont Drive
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Left on Dumont Drive
📍 Stop 6
Dumont Drive & Alafia Oaks Drive
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Left at SECOND Oak River Circle
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Right on Nature’s Way Boulevard
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Right on River Close Boulevard
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Left on Groveway Drive
📍 Stop 7
Groveway Drive & Culbreath Road
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Continue across Culbreath Road onto Groveway
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Left on Allwood
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Right to Culbreath Road
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Right on Needham Drive
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Right on SECOND Kenwick Drive
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Left on Quail Briar Drive
📍 Stop 8
Kenwick Drive & Quail Briar Drive
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Continue on Quail Briar Drive
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Left on Gotham Way
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Left on Erindale Drive
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Right on Culbreath Road
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Left on Eagle Bluff Drive
📍 Stop 9
Eagle Bluff Drive & Northridge Drive
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Right on Northridge Drive
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Right on Highlander Way
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Left on Culbreath Road
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Right on Treeline Drive
📍 Stop 10
Treeline Drive & Cold Creek Drive
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Right on Cold Creek Drive
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Right on Kiowa Lane
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Right on Culbreath Road
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Left into Park & Ride Parking Lot
📍 Stop 11 (Final)
Park & Ride Parking Lot
After the Event
Families can expect:
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A full gallery of Santa photos on the Bloomingdale Neighborhood Facebook page
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A direct link in the digital edition of the Bloomingdale Gazette
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Photos posted one week after the event
Run (or Walk) with the Bulls: Bloomingdale Band’s 5K is Back and Bigger Than Ever
Get your sneakers ready — the Bloomingdale Band Boosters is once again hosting the Running of the Bulls 5K, and this year’s event is shaping up to be the biggest yet. Mark your calendar: Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Bloomingdale High School (1700 E. Bloomingdale Ave, Valrico). Registration is officially live. (BSHS Band)
Why Everyone Should Join
Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a casual walker, or just looking for a fun way to support a great cause, Running of the Bulls is for you. Participants in the full 5K receive a race shirt — and finishers earn a medal. If 5K is more than you want, there’s also a ½-mile fun run/walk on the track, with a medal for participants (no shirt for the shorter distance). (RunSignup)
All proceeds benefit the Bloomingdale High School band program and help fund scholarships for seniors — so you’re literally helping raise music vibes and support local students with every step. (RunSignup)
A Much Bigger Turnout This Year
Here’s the kicker: signups are already about double what they were last year. That means this year’s race won’t just be an event — it’s going to be huge. For the band department, that boost matters big time: more runners = more support for student musicians, scholarships, and future band events.
How to Sign Up
Easy. Head to the Bloomingdale Band website’s Running of the Bulls page and click “Register Today!” — the link takes you to the live registration page. (BSHS Band)
Or go directly to the registration page on RunSignup: look for “Running of the Bulls 5k — Jan 17, 2026.” You can choose the 5K or the ½-mile fun run, pay the registration fee, and you’re set. (RunSignup)
If you’ve got questions, you can email the race organizers at the contact listed on the site (or call the high school number provided). (BSHS Band)
Why This Is More Than Just a Race
Running of the Bulls is one of those neighborhood traditions that brings together families, students, alumni, casual runners — anyone who wants to be part of something bigger than themselves. It’s not just charity, not just fitness, not just community spirit — it’s all three. With nearly double the sign-ups this year, the Rajun’ Bull Band and the larger Bloomingdale community are clearly rallying behind that spirit.
Even if you walk a slow lap or run hard, you’re making a difference — and showing support for one of Bloomingdale’s most enduring programs. Lace up, show up, and let’s make this 5K something to remember.
Yard of the Month
Congratulations to our winner, Dewey and Jessie Hamilton of 1426 Dumont Dr! Don’t forget to nominate your neighbors and their beautiful yards for the chance at an ACE Hardware Gift Card, a free month from the Campo Family YMCA, and recognition in The Bloomingdale Gazette.
