As we get ready to say goodbye to another remarkable year, it’s time to reflect on the outstanding achievements and milestones that the Ivanhoe Village Main Street has accomplished this year. Ivanhoe Village has played a pivotal role in fostering community engagement, supporting local businesses, and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

Volunteer hours: 778 hours, worth $23,301.10!

Virginia Drive Live with Mills50:

• The collaboration with Mills50 in planning three Virginia Drive Live events allowed guests to enjoy a leisurely stroll through the district, exploring the unique offerings of businesses along Virginia Drive and further promoting the diverse and vibrant culture as Ivanhoe Village blends into Mills50.

Jingle Eve: 

• Jingle Eve, one of Ivanhoe Village Main Street’s flagship events, reached new heights in 2024. With over 9,500 attendees, this free community event, coupled with a ticketed wine walk of over 620 guests, not only created a festive atmosphere but also drove attendees into local businesses. The success of Jingle Eve translated into support for a wide range of businesses, from traditional brick-and-mortar establishments to mobile vendors and market hosts. This event continues to truly be for all members of our community.

District Cleanups with Keep Orlando Beautiful: 

• Ivanhoe Village demonstrated its dedication to maintaining a safe and clean environment through successful district cleanups in partnership with Keep Orlando Beautiful, including a monumental Earth Day cleanup with over 200 attendees. These efforts not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the district but also created a welcoming atmosphere for businesses to flourish.

Pocket Park on Virginia Drive: 

• We began promoting the build of our pocket park at Virginia Dr and Ferris Ave, with the support of a matching grant from Commissioner Stuart. This park will create a green space for community gathering.

New Wayfinding Signs:

• The installation of an informational marquee in Gaston Edwards Park can allow Ivanhoe Village to get information out to our many pedestrians, including residents and visitors.
• In partnership with the CRA, an illuminated monument sign was installed at the entrance to Ivanhoe Village from the Downtown core.

Mitigating Construction Impacts:

• In partnership with many agencies, including the City of Orlando, OUC, Lake Highland Prep, contractors J. Malaver and Jack Jennings & Sons, and FDOT, we were able to have greater outreach, enhanced communication, and worked together to mitigate construction impacts on our neighborhood. With the support of Commissioner Stuart, we were able to print construction awareness yard signs to place throughout the district and also work with local content creators to bring further awareness to the needs of our business district.

New Partnerships: 

• From Central Florida Foundation to Spirit Airlines, this year unlocked new growth for our Main Street.

As Ivanhoe Village Main Street looks back on a year filled with accomplishments, it is evident that the district’s commitment to community engagement, economic vitality, and cultural enrichment has positioned it as a shining example of a thriving and dynamic community. From additional events to more business resources, we can’t wait to see what 2025 brings!