Clermont, Florida’s Citrus Tower Turns 70

A Look Back at the Landmark’s History and the Orange Crush Anniversary Event

Blog Author: Jen Durben | The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty

What is the Citrus Tower 70th Anniversary Event?

The iconic Citrus Tower in Clermont, Florida, is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a community celebration called Orange Crush. This free event will be held on Sunday, June 14th, from 10am - 4pm at the Citrus Tower located at 141 N Hwy 27 in Clermont. The day will be filled with free rides to the top of the tower, local food vendors, live entertainment, kids' activities, and so much more.

A brief History of the Citrus Tower in Clermont, Florida

Before the more recent growth, Clermont was known for its rolling hills, rural living, and, of course, its extensive citrus groves. The Citrus Tower was built during the citrus boom as a draw to boost tourism and still stands as a reminder of the deep roots of citrus in the area, becoming one of the most recognizable icons in the Clermont skyline.

• The Citrus Tower started construction in 1955 and opened in July 1956 as an observation attraction.
• The tower is 226 feet tall, equating to 22 stories.
• The tower contains 5 million pounds of concrete and 149,00 pounds of steel.
• Built to withstand winds of more than 190 miles per hour.
• Originally an open-air observation deck (now enclosed & air conditioned), it gives visitors panoramic views of surrounding Lake County and beyond, with over 35 miles of visibility on a clear day.

What to Expect at the Orange Crush 70th Anniversary Event

The 70th Anniversary Orange Crush event is designed to celebrate this milestone year of the Citrus Tower, inviting the community and visitors to come together to honor the history and nostalgia with a fun-filled day.

Event Highlights Include:

• Free Rides to the top of the Citrus Tower with a goodie bag
• Food Trucks
• Local Vendors
• Live Entertainment & Music
• Kids Activities, including a bounce castle, barrel train, slides, rock climbing, and more!
• Raffles & Giveaways
• Orange Crush Coloring Contest
• Uncle Matt's Organic Orange Juice Samples

The Citrus Tower Today

Today, the Citrus Tower is much more than an observation tower. An in-house coffee shop, Citrus Coffee Co, is located on the ground floor of the tower and serves a variety of caffeinated treats. Citrus-flavored goodies include their orange cream latte, snickerdoodle latte, orange hot chocolate, and cranberry orange muffin (just to name a few). Perfect to take to the top and sip while taking in the views. The Citrus Tower is also home to the Florida Messer Cattle Company, offering a variety of quality meats.

In addition, the newly renovated event space is now available for banquets, weddings, conferences, and more. With more than 6,000 square feet, the hall can seat up to 250 people for a conference (theater-style) and 120 guests at tables. And yes, rentals include access to the observation deck.

FAQs: Citrus Tower & 70th Anniversary Event

What Makes Clermont, Florida Feel Different

Clermont, Florida, has seen a significant expansion boom over the last several years. With the growth of residential new construction communities and the rebirth of the downtown area of Clermont, this city offers so much to locals. Whether it be the weekly farmers market on Sundays or the seasonal events, including the Clermont Sips and Salsa Festival, Arts & Jazz Festival, and the Light Up Clermont holiday event, there is so much to see and do around town. For outdoor lovers, the South Lake Trail and Clermont Chain of Lakes offer plenty of ways to get out and have an adventure. 

If you've been considering buying (or selling) in Clermont, check out the Clermont real estate page to see available homes in Clermont, local neighborhoods, market stats, waterfront living, and so much more.

Thinking about a Move in Clermont or Southwest Orlando?

With more than 25 years of experience in Southwest Orlando, Jeffrey and Renee Funk bring a deep understanding of the communities, neighborhoods, and lifestyle that make this part of Central Florida so special. From Clermont’s rolling hills and local landmarks to Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Winter Garden, and beyond, their local perspective helps make each next step clearer.

As Co-Founders of The Funk Collection, brokered by eXp Realty, Jeffrey and Renee help buyers and sellers move forward with thoughtful guidance, market insight, and a customer-first approach.

Schedule a call with Jeffrey Funk today to discuss buying or selling in Clermont, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Winter Garden, and the surrounding Southwest Orlando communities.

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