Special Events for Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

• ART IN THE PARK
  Date: See table for dates. The event is held from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
  Description: Art in the Park
  1st Saturday fun for everyone!
  
  Come out and enjoy Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park on the First Saturday of each month where you can spend the whole day having a great family experience. Enjoy Art in the Park at the parks craft square and gift shop. The event is held from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Crafters will demonstrate the art of pottery, fabric arts, stained glass, quilting, painting, jewelry making and a wide variety of beautiful Florida art. Workshops will also be available for several of the crafts for a small fee. The workshops are first come, first served. See below for specific dates. Spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying our spacious and shaded picnic and playground area where the family can enjoy a relaxing picnic and let the kids play.
  
  Art In The Park Dates

  October 4, 2008		November 1, 2008
  December 6, 2008		January 3, 2009
  February 7, 2009		March 7, 2009
  April 4, 2009		May 2, 2009
  June 6, 2009		July 4, 2009
  August 1, 2009		September 5, 2009
  October 3, 2009		November 7, 2009
  December 5, 2009

  
  
  Fees: The event is free with paid park admission.
  Contact: For more information call 386-397-1920.
  
• FIRST SATURDAY COFFEEHOUSE
  Date: See table for dates. This event starts at 7:00 p.m.
  Description: First Saturday Coffeehouse
  1st Saturday fun for everyone!
  
  Come out and enjoy Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park on the First Saturday of each month where you can spend the evening at the First Saturday Coffeehouse. Starting at 7:00 p.m., enjoy songs stories, music & poetry that may be performed at this open stage night held in the park auditorium. Coffee and desserts will be available for sale.
  
  First Saturday Coffeehouse Dates

  October 4, 2008		November 1, 2008
  January 3, 2009		February 7, 2009
  March 7, 2009		May 2, 2009
  June 6, 2009		July 4, 2009
  August 1, 2009		September 5, 2009
  October 3, 2009		November 7, 2009

  
  
  Fees: This event is free.
  Contact: For more information, 386-397-2733.
  
• ANIMAL FOLKLORE & WISDOM WORKSHOPS
  Date: See table above for exact dates. All classes are held 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
  Description: Learn the folklore of the animal & experience guided imagery & journaling in this fun filled, thought provoking workshop. Motivational speaker & hypnotherapist, Khrys Kantarze will skillfully lead you during the first part of the workshop. During these interactive workshops you’ll learn what attributes the ancient cultures gave the animal; from the Native American’s to the Celtic people. Discover the wisdom the animal holds & how the lessons learned can apply to the fast past of today’s world.
  
  Then join award winning fabric artist, Sue Ruda & create a beautiful work of art celebrating the beauty & knowledge of the animal’s wisdom. Let your creativity flow as Sue shows you easy techniques that create beautiful works of art. The first class you’ll create a journal you can take notes in or write inspirations as you participate in this Animal Wisdom Workshop Series.
  

  Butterfly Workshop		Thursday, November 20, 2008		Journal cover, embellishing & designing your personal notebook.
  Turtle Workshop		Thursday, January 22, 2009		T-shirt, color removal & shibori techniques.
  Horse Workshop		Thursday, February 19, 2009		Copper candle holder, working with metal.
  Wolf Workshop		Thursday, March 19, 2009		Framed pen & ink drawing, easy technique for novices.
  Owl Workshop		Thursday, April 16, 2009		Mobile/Windchime, creating a moving art piece.

  
  Fees: $25.00/class or pay in advance for all five sessions for $100.00. Cost includes admission into the park and all supplies. To register call the park gift shop at 386-397-1920 or contact Khrys Kantarze at 386-234-0846.
  Contact: See information above.
  
• 4TH ANNUAL OLD TIME MUSIC WEEKEND
  Date: December 5th – 7th, 2008. Friday, December 5th registration begins at 11:00 a.m.
  Description: Come enjoy a weekend of music and fun at the Suwannee Old Time Music Weekend on December 5-7, 2008 on the beautiful oak-covered grounds of the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in historic White Springs, Florida. This three-day event offers participants instruction for guitar, vocal, fiddle and banjo in beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Expect to see new faces as well as familiar friends from Florida and beyond.
  
  This year’s special guests –The Haywire Gang: Mac Benford, Paula Bradley & John Hoffmann – will arrive at the banks of the Suwannee from all the way up in Ithaca, N.Y. These three gentle souls have been living and breathing old time music for a LONG time! They started playing together at festivals like Mt. Airy & Clifftop, placed in a few contests along the way, had more fun than they could shake a stick at and twice as many laughs! Joining them will be Florida favorites Chuck Levy, Chuck Anton, Fay Baird & Lloyd Baldwin, all teaching beginner and intermediate level classes.
  
  Friday evening is the Florida Masters Concert featuring Tom Paley, an original New Lost City Rambler and George Gibson, a Florida resident who grew up steeped in the banjo tradition of Knott County, KY. Saturday evening is the Instructor’s Showcase Concert.
  
  Download the registration form.
  
  Fees: An entire weekend of pickin’ and fun only costs $215.00, which includes concerts, workshops classes, jam sessions and meals. A spouse program is also being offered, which includes two concerts, jams and meals for $75.00. Friday and Saturday concerts are open to the public for $10.00 each.
  Contact: For more information, call 386-397-4478.
  
• CRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS
  Date: The festival will take place: Saturday, December 13, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  Gift Shop will be open: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., December 19th & 20th and December 26th & 27th.
  Description: CRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS
  State Park invites visitors to experience winter festivities
  
  Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park invites the public to join the fun at Craft Square during the Christmas Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park on December 13, 2008.
  
  Visitors are welcome to enjoy the demonstrations such as corn grinding, quilting, woodworking, aromatherapy, jewelry marking, calligraphy, stain glass, gourd art, blacksmithing, walking sticks, fabric arts and pysanka. Visitors will also have the opportunity to make their own Christmas ornament.
  
  Everyone is invited to enjoy the selection of candles, toys, jewelry, books, food, music and wonderful crafts by Florida artists. Visitors are also encouraged to take advantage of the extended hours at Cousin Thelma Bolton’s Gift Shop, which will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on December 13th, December 19th and 20th and also December 26th & 27th.
  
  Fees: Admission on December 13th will be a donation of a canned good per person or a new toy. The Gift Shop will be open evening hours until 8:00 p.m. December 19th & 20th and also December 26th & 27th. Admission to the park is free to visit the Gift Shop.
  Contact: For more information, call (386) 397-1920.
  
• HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND DECORATIONS
  Date: December 13th through December 31st, 2008. Until 8:00 p.m.
  Description: The park will be festooned in holiday lights and decorations from December 13 through December 31 until 8:00 p.m. The Festival of Lights is sponsored by the Town of White Springs and its Special Events Committee, the Stephen Foster Citizens Support Organization, local individuals and businesses.
  
  Fees: Admission into the park during the daylight hours is $4 per vehicle, up to 8 passengers. In the evenings, admission will be $1.00 per person for visitors to drive into the park and enjoy the Christmas lights.
  Contact: For more information, call 386-397-4331.
  
• FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
  Date: Saturday, December 13th, 2008. The day's activities begin at 10:00 a.m.
  Description: Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center, in conjunction with the Town of White Springs, will celebrate the holiday season, with a special Christmas Concert on December 13th.
  
  The day’s activities begin at 10:00 a.m. with a breakfast hosted by Santa Claus. Tickets for the breakfast are available from White Springs Town Hall or the White Springs Library. The park’s Craft Square will have demonstrating artists, door prizes and a Holiday One-Day Sale in the Gift Shop, open from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. A children’s ornament-making workshop will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the State of Florida’s Nature and Heritage Tourism Center. For those who enjoy the charm of a small town Christmas parade, the Town of White Springs’ Christmas Parade begins at 5:30 p.m.ending inside Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center State Park where a hot dog supper is offered free of charge, along with a bonfire and marshmallow roast.
  
  The festivities will feature performances by soloists May Frances Marshall, The Caregiver Through Praise and Lucindagail Maynard, both of White Springs. Marshall is a notable singer of gospel music and Maynard is also a guitarist who will perform an original song. Both ladies have performed at the Florida Folk Festival for many years. Amanda Bullard, of White Springs will be the accompanist for the concert. Bill Freeman of Lake City will perform on the hammered dulcimer. Rita Ramsey of Lake Helen will present a classical piano arrangement of “O Holy Night”. A Christmas Carol Sing A-Long will be lead by Johnny Bullard, the Master of Ceremonies for the Concert Program beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Stephen Foster Carillon Tower. Volunteers, Jack & Joan Robertson will serenade park visitors in the Stephen Foster Museum from 5:45 p.m. until 6:15 p.m. with Christmas selections played on the bagpipe and fiddle.
  
  Fees: Regular park admission fees are waived for the festivities at the park on December 13th, but a donation of canned goods or a new toy is requested.
  Contact: For more information, call 386-397-4331.
  
• PEACE AT LAST CONCERT
  Date: December 31, 2008.
  Description: Celebrate the New with a peaceful gathering on the banks of the Suwannee River.
  
  Check back to this website for information updates.
  Fees: TBA
  Contact: For more information, call 386-397-2733.
  
• INAUGURAL KNAP-IN
  Date: January 30 – February 1, 2009 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  Description: INAUGURAL KNAP-IN
  Event will feature classes and demonstrations of prehistoric technologies
  Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in collaboration with the Osceola National Forest will host the 2nd Annual Gator-Knap-In on January 30 – February 1, 2009.
  
  This event will be an educational experience geared at bringing together professional and vocational archaeologists and those interested in prehistoric technologies. Demonstrations and classes in flint knapping, ceramics, cordage and carving of stone, shell, bone and wood will be held at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. Featured speakers will be Bob Berg, owner and craftsman of the Thunderbird Atlatl and James Dunbar, Senior Archaeologist, Florida Division of Historical Resources.
  
  A flint knapping competition for all skill levels will be held. Vendors and exhibitors will have displays and materials for sale. THERE WILL BE NO BUYING OR SELLING OF AUTHENTIC ARTIFACTS.
  
  Fees: The event will be free to park visitors, with paid park admission. Admission to the park is $4.00 per vehicle, up to 8 persons per vehicle.
  Contact: For more information, call (386) 397-7005.
  

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.
• ART IN THE PARK
  First Saturday of each Month. Crafters will demonstrate the art of pottery, fabric arts, stained glass, quilting, jewelry making and many other crafts. Workshops will also be available for several of the crafts for a small fee. The workshops are first come, first served.
  
  The event will be free with paid park admission of $4.00 per vehicle up to 8 persons.
  Call 386-397-1920 for more details.