The Stephen Foster Coffee House event invites visitors onstage for 10 minutes to sing, play a musical instrument, read original poetry or tell a story. Artists are requested to arrive at least 10 minutes early for sign up and perform material suitable for all ages.
Come and enjoy songs, music, and poetry on this open mike night. Coffee & desserts are available for purchase.
Explore North Florida's natural beauty & local culture along the Suwannee River in our learning programs for adults age 55 and older. Leisure or active programs are available. Learn more about the life and music of Stephen Foster. Enjoy church suppers, local musicians and craftsman, or canoe and hike along the Suwannee. Call
386-397-7009 for more information.
Jeanie and Stephen Auditions
October 2012
Auditions: 10:00 am
Wearing antebellum dresses in honor of Foster's
"Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair", female music students compete for scholarships and the title of outstanding vocalist in Florida. Cosponsored by the Florida Federation of Music Clubs.
Wild Azalea
Festival
March 17, 2012
Come and celebrate the arrival of spring and the blooming of the Wild Azalea Festival. Enjoy performances by local musicians, storytellers and dancers. Taste regional foods. Artists and craftsmen will be demonstrating their talents and selling their goods.
Antique Tractor
and Engine Show
April 5-7, 2012
Farm machinery representing 200 years of American history. Vintage farm equipment, tractor pulls and races for adults. Children's games and races. Demonstrations of wheat threshing and shingle milling.
Easter Sunrise Service
Celebrate Easter with gospel choirs, soloists and clergy from the local community who gather together for a beautiful sunrise service.
Florida Folk Festival
May 25-27, 2012
Enjoy the diversity of Florida's culture and history when its residents share their food, music, dance, stories, crafts and work life. Visit Seminole family camp, watch the state fiddling contest and savor ethnic food and church supper favorites.
For advanced tickets call
1-877-635-3655
or visit
www.Florida Folk Festival.com
Suwannee River
Quilt Show and Sale
October, 2011
More than 200 quilts are on exhibit, including traditional bed quilts, art quilts, children's quilts and antique quilts as quilters gather to share their work. workshops, keynote speakers and demonstrations. Sponsored by the Stephen Foster CSO and regional quilt guilds.
Call 386-397-7005 for entry form.
Rural Folklife Days
November 2012
Florida's rural past continues with quilting, cane grinding, syrup making, lye soap making, handplaited cow whips and other farm traditions that remain part of family and community life. Come taste homemade jellies and peanut brittle at this family event.
School Groups Welcome
Stephen Foster Day
Sunday January 2013
Jared McGrath will give a live performance on the Stephen Foster Carillon, which is more than 200 feet tall and contains the largest collection of tubular bells in the world. With 97 individual bells, the live performance by Jared McGrath will be just a highlight of this year's celebration. There will also be musical performances by Caitlin Frizzell and Fausto Miro in period attire, winners of the “Stephen Foster and Jeanie Auditions,” a statewide vocal competition sponsored by the Florida Federation of Music Clubs. A cello and violin duet, a flautist and other musical talents will also take place.
The concert will begin at 2 p.m. in the Stephen Foster Carillon Tower and there will be refreshments sponsored by the Stephen Foster Citizens Support Organization after the concert. Admission to the event is free with paid park admission of $5 per vehicle of up to eight passengers.
Primitive Arts Day
February 4, 2012
10am to 4pm
Step back in time to a yesteryear, more primitive Florida. Come to Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park on Feb 4th, 2012 for an introduction to early pioneer arts and crafts. Hear the crack of a bull whip and meet its maker. Listen to haunting melodies played on a handcrafted flute. Learn to charm the birds out of the trees using your very own bird call whistle. See the brawny blacksmiths working at the fiery forge.
Meet a Galiceno horse herd. These hardy equines are descendants of the horses introduced to North America by the Spanish Conquistador explorers. They are the stock from which sprang the mustangs and the Cracker horses. Watch as a master wood carver and whittler ply’s his trade. See pottery fired in a pit. Clay pots will be wrapped in organic materials such as hay, leaves, grasses, and moss and fired in open flames. Watch as talented spinners, weavers, knitters, crocheters and quilters create their wares before your eyes. The demonstrators will happily answer your questions and sell their goods. School groups are welcome.
The event will take place in the Craft Square.
Wild Florida
May 5, 2012 ~ May 4, 2013
Nature and wildlife experts talk about the flora, the fauna and the wonderfully wild animals that call Florida home.
Call 386-397-1920
Big Shoals State Park
in White Springs
Presents
4th Annual Family Pumpkin Fest
October 2012
Fun for the Whole Family!!!
•Kids Pumpkin Decorating Contest
•Costume Contest for Everyone, Funniest, Prettiest, Most Original
•Hay Ride through the Woods
•Fun for all…Refreshments
•Crafts: Exhibitors from Stephen Foster
•Watch the Bats Fly at night with Big Shoals’ Park Rangers
Regular Park Admission:
$2.00 per person or $4.00 per car
Hosted this month by
Mary Z. Cox
Mary Z. Cox is an award winning vocalist along with her accomplishments on the banjo and dulcimer. She writes, teaches and lives music at home in Tallahassee. Her down home original vocals and upbeat instrumental work will bring you into the music. She performs all around the world and is often seen here at the Florida Folk Festival.
Kids Pumpkin Decorating Contest
