Old Hyde Park Home Tour kicks off holidays | Community Spirit

Get an early start on Christmas and the holidays! The Old Hyde Park Home Tour kicks off Sunday, Dec. 4 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Seven historic homes, built between 1915 and 1925 along Willow Avenue in South Tampa just off Bayshore Boulevard, will open their doors. See how they maintain their historic charm along with all the modern amenities of brand-new homes.

Click here for photos from previous tours

"The tour is a great way to get ideas for your home, especially holiday ideas", suggests Chandra Henthorne, the event chairperson. "And in today's economy people are doing more entertaining and dining at home, so making your home special makes that time more enjoyable."

Young musicians will play holiday music to add to the festive atmosphere.

Ticket prices are $15 in advance. To purchase advance tickets, send a check payable to Hyde Park Preservation, Inc., c/o 805 S. Willow Ave., Tampa, FL 33606.

Wrist bands will be picked up at will-call for those purchases.

On the day of the event, tickets will be $20 each at a table outside of St. John's Episcopal Church, 902 S. Orleans Ave.- which is the starting point of the tour. Sorry - no credit cards, only checks and cash will be accepted.

And a special Day of Tour lunch along with tickets will be sold at Sophies, a French Bakery & Café in Hyde Park Village, 1633 W. Snow, Tampa.

For more information, please visit www.oldhydeparkfl.org. or call 813-258-6600 or email thefissfamily@gmail.com