It’s time to start making plans for summer, as the local day camps are finalizing their schedules.

Boca Raton offers so many options that fit a wide range of activities, schedules and prices. Where to begin?

If you have little ones entering preschool in the fall, you might see whether the school offers a summer program. That can be a good way to ease them into the new environment.

For older kids, there are options tailored to almost every interest. Do you want an enriching experience, where they hone a sports skill or a talent in performing? Or do you want a strictly recreational summer? Get the rundown on several options in our Summer Camp Guide.

The IMPACT exhibit showcases American fashion designers. (BOCAPARENT.COM)

If you’ve got a young fashionista in the house, put the Boca Raton Museum of Art’s latest exhibit on your calendar.

The show is called “IMPACT: 50 Years of the CFDA” (Council of Fashion Designers of America), showcasing American design. There are stunning designs from Zac Posen, Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang and many more.

Feather jacket, skirt and turban by Norma Kamali. (MFIT/CFDA)

Ball gown by Oscar de la Renta from 2012. (MFIT/CFDA)

Each living designer participating in the exhibit selected a piece they felt best represents their impact on the fashion world, according to the museum.

Included is the red and black Narciso Rodriguez design that First Lady Michelle Obama wore on election night in 2008, as well as some imaginative gowns with feathers from Norma Kamali and Thom Browne.

Two other exhibits accompany IMPACT on the museum’s first floor. “Draw and Shoot” is a collection of fashion drawings and photos, including some from Helmut Newton and Richard Avedon.

Behind the IMPACT show is “Jody Culkin: Refashioned,” colorful and quirky artworks inspired by clothes and accessories. There’s a metal purse made into a fountain. A sheer burka.

It’s a great mother-daughter (or grandmother-granddaughter) outing, though interesting enough for dads and sons, too. There is a menswear section, as well.

The show runs through April 21. The museum, on the north end of Mizner Park, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday; noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $15 for adults; $8 for students; free for kids 12 and younger. Learn more at bocamuseum.org.

- CHARLENE PACENTI

It is awesome to live in South Florida in the winter time. And one of the greatest things about it is picking your own strawberries.

While there used to be many more options around for doing this, there are still two great places nearby, where you can fill a whole afternoon with the family.

The Girls

The Girls is like an old-fashioned country store, with rows and rows of strawberries for the picking out back, grown in containers. The charming grounds also feature swans, birds and other creatures, as well as a shady picnic area. The store sells unique candy and has an ice cream counter. The Girls even hosts kids’ birthday parties.

It’s at 1466 S. Military Trail in Delray Beach. Open 9 a.m to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Call 561-496-0188 or visit online.

Bedner’s market

Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market west of Boynton Beach also has you-pick fields for strawberries and sometimes vegetables, too, every day except Tuesday. You can also take a hay ride or get fresh caramel apples or barbecue. Food trucks and craft vendors are often there on the weekends.

It’s at 10066 Lee Road (U.S. 441) in Boynton Beach. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call 561-733-5490 or visit online.

Call before you head out to either place. On busy weekends, the strawberry patches can get picked clean.

More farmers markets

Besides the you-pick fields, you can also find fresh, locally grown produce at the many farmers markets that open weekends into the spring.

• Boca Raton Green Market – The annual market runs Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through April 27 at Royal Palm Place, Federal Highway and South Mizner Boulevard. Buy fresh fruits and veggies from local growers, baked goods, plants, fresh seafood and more.

• Green Market at FAU -This closed for the holidays, but should  be starting again soon (check here) at Florida Atlantic University’s stadium plaza. Vendors will sell fresh produce, artisan jewelry and organic food, 4 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, with yoga at 6 p.m. Free parking north of Lot 11.

• Delray GreenMarket – Delray Beach’s annual green market is in Old School Square Park at Northeast Second Avenue, just north of Atlantic Avenue. It will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through May 11. Get more info at the Delray GreenMarket blog.

–> Find more family fun and events in Things to Do.

- CHARLENE PACENTI

So there’s not much of a nip in the air most days, but the holidays in Boca Raton can dazzle nonetheless.

There are plenty of local traditions to get the family in the holiday spirit. Give the season a tropical twist at the boat parade. See the lights in Downtown Boca. Take in a performance of The Nutcracker.

You won’t miss the snow a bit. Here are some favorite holiday happenings for the family:

HOLIDAY LIGHTING EXTRAVAGANZA

The city of Boca Raton holds its annual tree lighting, with a live ice sculpture demonstration, Santa Claus, a big pile of “snow,” food, kiddie rides and other activities. Mayor Susan Whelchel flips the switch to light the holiday tree. Bring a new unwrapped gift to donate to the Spirit of Giving network. 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 23 at Mizner Park Amphitheater.

THE NUTCRACKER

Boca Ballet Theatre presents its annual performance of the holiday classic. Show times are 7 p.m. Nov. 23, 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 24 and 2 p.m. Nov. 25. Tickets are $35 for adults; $25 for kids 17 and under. Call 561-995-0709.

You can also catch the Miami City Ballet production Dec. 14-16 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale.  Call 877-929-7010 or visit browardcenter.org.

HOLIDAY STREET PARADE

Entertainers and floats from organizations all over town cruise up Federal Highway in this annual parade. It runs from Southeast Eighth Street north to Mizner Park. Free. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Enjoy a pancake breakfast, train rides, a visit with Santa, crafts and more. 8:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 8, Boca Raton Children’s Museum, 498 Crawford Blvd. Admission is $10; free for infants. Reserve in advance at 561-368-6875.

BOCA RATON BOAT PARADE

This floating holiday tradition runs along the Intracoastal Waterway, beginning at the C-15 canal on the Delray Beach border. Bleacher viewing at Red Reef and Silver Palm Parks. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8.

KABBALAH FAMILY FUN CARNIVAL

The Kabbalah Center of Boca Raton presents a family celebration of Hanukkah, including astrology readings, a bounce house, face painting and more. Call 561-488-8826. 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 9 at Mizner Park Amphitheater. Call 561-488-8826.

PICTURES WITH SANTA

Santa will be holding court at Town Center through Dec. 24. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Nov. 30; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday Dec. 1-23; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 21-22; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24. Avoid the line and schedule an appointment online.

WORTH A DRIVE

Some other sights worth seeing around South Florida:

HOLIDAY FANTASY OF LIGHTS

Just a few minutes south, you can take a ride through a fabulous three-mile light display. It’s open 6 to 10 p.m. nightly through Jan. 5 at Tradewinds Park, 3600 W. Sample Rd., Coconut Creek. Admission is $13 a carload; $10 Monday-Wednesday.

WINTERFEST BOAT PARADE

This is the big one, which goes up the New River and Intracoastal Waterway from Fort Lauderdale to Pompano Beach. You can watch from any place you can find along the banks of the waterways. Or you can buy grandstand seats in advance at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Sunrise Boulevard and the Intracoastal. Grandstand tickets are $22 for adults; $18 for kids.  Call 954-767-0686 or visit winterfestparade.com.

Last year's crowds at Meet Me on the Promenade festival.

UPDATED Oct. 25, 2012

The Meet Me on the Promenade street festival in Downtown Boca is back Oct. 27, with food, live entertainment, kids’ activities and more. The festivities planned for Friday night, Oct. 26, have been canceled due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Saturday’s events will go on as scheduled.

New this year: Costume contests for kids and pets, shop-to-shop trick-or-treating and a bike zone. Bicyclists can park Comerica Bank, Federal Highway and Palmetto Park Road, and also get bike safety checkups, giveaways and more.

The festival starts at 10 a.m., right behind the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, which starts at 9 a.m. at the Mizner Park Amphitheater. (You can register for the walk here).

Meet Me on the Promenade continues until 10 p.m. with entertainment, a green market, car exhibits, artists and crafters expo, community resource booths and more. Halloween events for kids start after 3 p.m. Participating shops will be offering special deals, sidewalk sales and more.

Live performances include 11-year-old singer Mason Pace, the BeetleJuice Rock ‘N Roll Monster Revue and the band Shin Dig.

Admission is free. The festival takes over much of the downtown area around Sanborn Square and along Palmetto Park Road east of Federal Highway, as well as Mizner Park and Royal Palm Place. A trolley will be running throughout the area.

LEARN MORE

Get all the details at DowntownBoca.org.

Find more family fun in Things to Do.