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WHITE SPRINGS – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s
Division of Recreation and Parks is pleased to announce the 55th Annual Florida
Folk Festival has been rescheduled for November 9-11 at the Stephen Foster Folk
Culture Center State Park in White Springs. The Florida Folk Festival, Florida’s
premier heritage event, continues a grand tradition dating back to 1953
celebrating Florida’s land, people and diverse cultural heritage with more than
200 performances each day by Florida’s greatest folk and roots artists.
“We are thrilled to continue hosting one of the oldest state folk festivals
in the country, while promoting Florida’s artistic heritage,” said DEP Florida
Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “This event is a great opportunity for
Florida visitors and families to celebrate the region’s countless talents.”
The Florida Folk Festival has remained one of the Sunshine State’s most
popular heritage events because of the wide variety of entertainment and
activities available at the three day festival. Performers include national
recording artists, award winning song-writers and musicians from the genres of
swing, folk, blues, gospel, country, Latin, jazz, bluegrass, Caribbean and
zydeco.
Friday, November 9 at 10:00 a.m., the Florida Folk Festival will celebrate
Florida’s people and heritage during the opening ceremonies on the banks of the
Suwannee River. Entertainment will continue each day and evening with concerts
featuring folk, bluegrass and country music artists, and evening dancing on the
outdoor dance floor under the stars. Daily features at the Florida Folk Festival
include: Florida arts and crafts, a Festival Market Place, delicious foods
representing Florida’s ethnic cultures, folk arts demonstrations, storytelling
and living history in the Seminole Family Camp.
Located on the banks of the Suwannee River, Stephen Foster Folk Culture
Center State Park honors the memory of American composer Stephen Foster. The
museum features exhibits about Foster's most famous songs, as well as a 97-bell
carillon tower playing concerts several times daily.
The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation’s best state park
service, Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with
161 parks spanning 700,000 acres and 100 miles of sandy white beach. From
swimming and diving in Florida’s rivers and springs to birding and fishing or
hiking and riding on natural scenic trails, Florida’s state parks offer
year-round outdoor activities for all ages. Battle reenactments and Native
American festivals celebrate Florida’s unique history, while art shows, museums
and lighthouses offer a window into Florida’s cultural heritage.
Advance tickets are available. For festival and ticket information contact
the State of Florida’s Nature & Heritage Tourism Center at 1-877-6FL-FOLK
(877-635-3655) or visit
www.FloridaFolkFestival.com.
The Festival will take place:
Gates open daily at 8 a.m.
Friday, November 9, 2007 – Sunday, November 11, 2007
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
On US 41, three miles from I-75 and nine miles from I-10
White Springs, FL
Directions to the Festival:
From I-75, exit at S.R. 136 (Exit # 439) then east to U.S. 41 in White
Springs; from I-10 exit at U.S. 41 (Exit #301) then north to White Springs.
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