Special Events for Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

• FLORIDA FOLK FESTIVAL
  Date: May 23rd through May 25th, 2008. Gates open at 8:00 a.m.
  Description: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Recreation and Parks is pleased to announce the 56th Annual Florida Folk Festival on May 23-25 at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs. Since 1953, folk artists have come together for one of the oldest state folk festivals in America. The Florida Folk Festival, Florida’s premier heritage event, continues a grand tradition of celebrating Florida’s land, people and diverse cultural heritage with more than 200 performances each day by Florida’s greatest folk and roots artists—a river of talent.
  
  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 songwriters and musicians from the areas of swing, folk, blues, gospel, country, Latin, jazz, bluegrass, Caribbean and zydeco.
  
  Kicking off on Friday, May 23 at 10:00 a.m. with opening ceremonies on the banks of the Suwannee River, the Florida Folk Festival celebrates Florida’s people and heritage. Performances continue throughout each day and evening with concerts featuring folk, bluegrass, 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. The Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park is located on the banks of the beautiful Suwannee River in historic White Springs.
  
  For advance tickets, call 1-877-635-3655 or visit Florida Folk Festival.
  
  Fees: Fee schedule to be announced.
  Contact: See information above.
  
• FIRST SATURDAY COFFEEHOUSE
  Date: June 7th, 2008. 7:00 p.m.
  Description: Songs, stories, music or poetry may be performed at this open stage night held in the park auditorium. Coffee and desserts available for sale.
  Fees: This event is free!
  Contact: For more information, call 386-397-4331.
  
• WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP
  Date: Saturday, June 21st, 2008. 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  Description: WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP
  -Park invites visitors to learn methods of painting with watercolors-
  
  Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park will host a watercolor workshop on Saturday, June 21, 2008. The workshop, taught by Wally Reichert is designed for beginning through intermediate levels and will cover all aspects of watercolor painting, including supplies, techniques, color theory and the painting of trees, skies, landscapes and buildings. Each participant will complete one painting matted and ready to frame.
  
  Cost for the four hour class is $35.00, which includes supplies and park admission. Space is limited to six people. Students are encouraged to bring a bagged lunch and a favorite landscape photo.
  
  Fees: Cost for the four hour class is $35.00, which includes supplies and park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 386-397-1920.
  
• FIRST SATURDAY COFFEEHOUSE
  Date: July 5th, 2008. 7:00 p.m.
  Description: Songs, stories, music or poetry may be performed at this open stage night held in the park auditorium. Coffee and desserts available for sale.
  Fees: This event is free!
  Contact: For more information, call 386-397-4331.
  
• FIRST SATURDAY COFFEEHOUSE
  Date: August 2nd, 2008. 7:00 p.m.
  Description: Songs, stories, music or poetry may be performed at this open stage night held in the park auditorium. Coffee and desserts available for sale.
  Fees: This event is free!
  Contact: For more information, call 386-397-4331.
  
• FIRST SATURDAY COFFEEHOUSE
  Date: September 6th, 2008. 7:00 p.m.
  Description: Songs, stories, music or poetry may be performed at this open stage night held in the park auditorium. Coffee and desserts available for sale.
  Fees: This event is free!
  Contact: For more information, call 386-397-4331.
  
• 20TH ANNUAL SUWANNEE RIVER QUILT SHOW & SALE
  Date: October 17th - 19th, 2008. 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
  Description: More than 200 quilts will be exhibited, including traditional bed quilts, art quilts, children’s quilts and antique quilts as quilters gather along the banks of the beautiful Suwannee River to share their work for this 20th anniversary show, themed “Turning Twenty on the Suwannee.” Judged quilt show, workshops, keynote speakers, vendors, boutiques, door prizes, block contest and demonstrators will be part of this three day event. Purchase a raffle ticket to win a quilt at the Cousin Thelma Boltin’s craft & gift shop in the park. Quilters from the Lady of the Lake Quilting Guild did a fabulous job on this quilt with references to Stephen Foster, the Suwannee River and many of the events that take place here in the park. Raffle tickets are $1.00 or 6 for $5.00. There will be a quilt raffle drawing and 20th anniversary celebration on Saturday, October 18th at 2:00 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Stephen Foster Citizen’s Support Organization and regional quilt guilds. Buses are welcome!
  
  Download our flyer! 20th Suwannee River Quilt Show & Sale
  
  Fees: $3.00 per person.
  Contact: For more information, call 386-397-4478
  

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park Ranger Programs

• CAMPGROUND PROGRAMS
  Saturdays, October through May. Park rangers present one-hour programs on local history, Black Seminole history, knot tying, the carillon tower bells, and more.
  Call (386) 397-2733 for more details.
• WORKING CRAFTSMEN AND CLASSES IN CRAFT SQUARE
  Call park for dates and times. Learn Florida traditions from the artists and craftsmen who keep old ways alive through blacksmithing, quilting, pottery and more. Call Craft Square at (386) 397-1920 for information.
  Call (386) 397-4331 for more details.
• FIRST SATURDAY COFFEEHOUSE
  Call park for dates and times. Songs, stories, music or poetry may be presented at this open microphone night held the first Saturday of each month. Coffee and desserts for sale.
  Call (386) 397-4331 for more details.