Sanford Archives - Robert Redd Historian & Author

Posted on March 3, 2024September 20, 2024 by Robert — Leave a comment

The Best Events and Festivals in Florida in March 2024

Are you searching for the best events and festivals in Florida in March 2024? Thanks for visiting. Please use the links below to find fun events for all ages.

Florida hosts some amazing events and festivals. Each month I hope to take a look at a dozen or so of these in hopes of bringing you fun, exciting, and unexpected ways to enjoy our state.

If you have an event or know of one coming up that you feel should be highlighted, please drop me a line with as much information as you can, including a website. I’ll be glad to include your suggestions in future posts.

I have listed events in date order.

Plant City Florida Strawberry Festival

February 29 through March 10

Strawberries and more strawberries are the theme of this amazing annual festival. Enjoy agriculture, industry, livestock, commerce, fine arts, horticulture, arts & crafts, and strawberries. Live music from groups such as the Oak Ridge Boys, the Beach Boys, Black Eyed Peas (though it doesn’t look like Fergie is with them), ZZ Top, Foreigner, Flo Rida, and many, many more. Enjoy over 80 games, attractions, and rides at the Belle City Midway.

Family fun, a date night, or an evening with friends, the Plant City Strawberry Festival has something for everyone. Click the image to check the website for ticket prices.

Pigapalooza

March 8 & 9 in Mulberry

The City of Mulberry is pleased to announce the return of Pigapalooza!, an FBA sanctioned BBQ competition. But this isn’t just BBQ, it’s Pigapalooza! We will host vendors, a kid zone, live music, and of course the opportunity to purchase award winning barbecue. This year we are launching Pigapalooza’s first Kids-Que!

Will McLean Music Festival

March 8 through 10 in Brooksville

A premier event that will entertain you with 80 folk music groups performing on 3 covered stages. Music styles include original and traditional songs, in Americana, Blues, Celtic, Bluegrass, Country, and Modern Folk. Besides performances, there are workshops, several jam areas, a young musician’s program, a children’s area and a performance of the winners of The Best New Florida Song contest. Food and craft vendors supply all your cravings.

South Florida Food Fest and Craft Fair

March 9 & 10 in Boca Raton

Two days of delicious foods priced from $1-$5 so sample everything. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be available. Music from popular local musicians, artisans, and a craft fair round out this amazing weekend in Boca Raton. Click the link or the image to buy your tickets in advance. Only $15 for a 2-day pass.

Tarpon Springs Fine Arts Festival

March 9 & 10

49 years strong, the Tarpon Springs Fine Arts Festival is one of the leading arts events in Florida.

More than 150 artists will have their work on exhibit. Works will be judged but also will be for sale. Music, craft beer, and foods will be available.

THIS EVENT IS NOT PET FRIENDLY!!! They are using the old tired excuse of “insurance.”

Clewiston Sugar Festival

March 16

Over the years our festival has grown into a multi-day event, beginning with sports tournaments and a Miss Sugar Pageant leading up to the main festival day, followed by a Friday Night Kickoff concert with food trucks on festival weekend.

The event, including the concert lineup are free, making this a great family event.

On Saturday, the main festival day, attendees can enjoy free live music concerts, an antique tractor display, a car show, a free kids play park, visit a local baking contest and a professional baking display, plus enjoy the offerings of various food and crafts vendors present.

Marco Island Seafood & Music Festival

March 22-24

Enjoy stone crab, shrimp, and more, along with your favorite adult beverages. Live music will be performed throughout the event. Join more than 60 arts and craft vendors and let the kids play in the Kids Zone. Fun for the entire family. Tickets are $10 for adults, under age 12 are free.

Venice Book Fair and Writers Festival

March 22 & 23

This is a unique event, featuring writing and publishing workshops, and a special day when local and national authors sell and sign books at a festival market in a beautiful downtown park.

About 35 authors and not for profit organizations are currently signed up to attend. Be sure to support your local authors.

Pints n’ Paws Craft Beer Festival

March 23 in Sanford

Pints n’ Paws Craft Beer Festival is annual fundraiser you bring your dog to featuring over 100 breweries, food trucks, vendors, live entertainment and community in beautiful Historic Downtown Sanford, Florida. Each year one of the activities that everyone looks forward to is our Annual Poster Dog Contest to see who’s furry friend will shine on next year’s poster and event marketing.

Now in its 12th year, it has raised over $600,000 to date for local pet rescues!

It is hosted by the Sanfording Event Production Group of West End Trading Co., Celery City Craft and Historic Downtown Sanford® and is one of the premier events in Sanford, Florida!

The event is free to attend. Beer tasting tickets are available online in advance and I imagine can be purchased the afternoon of the event.

Florida Wildflower and Garden Festival

March 23 in DeLand

A forum to promote environmentally-friendly and sustainable gardening practices featuring an array of vendors and presentations by wildflower and gardening experts. Vendors and speakers will be on hand. Free admission and free parking is available throughout DeLand.

Islamorada Island Fest

March 23 and 24

Island Fest returns to Islamorada on March 23 & 24, 2024 featuring a juried art show, live music, great food, classic cars and much more. The annual Islamorada Chamber of Commerce fundraiser, now in its 32nd year, will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Founders Park, mile marker 87 bayside.

Around 100 artists will be taking part in the show. Delicious food can be found everywhere, including the smoked fish dip contest on Saturday. Try your hand at the homemade boat race with multiple categories for prizes. Musical guests and a large car show make this an event with something for every member of the family.

Free admission and on-site parking is $5.

Panacea Beer and Oyster Festival

March 30

The Panacea Beer and Oyster Festival is held along Dickerson Bay at Woolley Park in Panacea, Florida. The festival features unlimited samplings of local and national craft beers in the beer garden and will host local oyster farmers who will have their delicious oysters available for purchase!

The festival will also feature food & craft vendors, live music, and a beautiful view for sipping and shucking!

All proceeds benefit the Panacea Waterfronts Florida Partnership. Tickets are $25 and are only necessary if you would like to participate in the beer tastings held in the BEER GARDEN, or would like to accompany someone in. The rest of the event is open to the public to enjoy.

To conclude, I want to thank you for reading my listing of the best events and festivals in Florida in March 2024. Check back every month otherwise you might miss out on a great event you did not know about. If you are sponsoring or hosting an upcoming event, drop me a line so I can include it. Maybe we can work together on a blog post to promote the event. Let’s hear your ideas.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence my views and opinions

Posted on September 18, 2023October 14, 2024 by Robert — Leave a comment

October 2023 The Best Events and Festivals in Florida

The Best in Florida Festivals and Events October 2023

Florida hosts some amazing events and festivals. Each month I hope to take a look at a dozen or so of these in hopes of bringing you fun, exciting, and unexpected ways to enjoy our state.

Posts are listed in date order.

I have purposefully not included Oktoberfest and Halloween related events in this post.

October 6-8 Destin Seafood Festival Destin

This event which features seafood, music, art, and more serves as a fundraiser for the Destin Charter Boat Association, a not-for-profit organization formed in 1954. More than 70 vendors, five music stages, and seafood galore.

October 7 Boots, Bulls & Barrells Kissimmee

An intense event that combines the thrill of bull riding with the fast agility of barrel racing. This tournament-style event brings together professional bull riders and skilled equestrians in a competition of adrenaline and skill.

The annual Silver Spurs Rodeo is one of the top rodeos in the country so this event promises to be excellent.

Take a video tour of the history of the Silver Spurs Rodeo below.

October 7 Green Cove Springs Soul Food & Music Festival

Enjoy an amazing day of southern cooking, live music, dancing, children’s activities, local artists, specialty vendors, and more.

October 7-8 Autumn Art Festival Winter Park

The Winter Park Autumn Art Festival is the only juried fine art festival exclusively featuring Florida artists.

The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the festival on the second weekend in October each year. The community-oriented sidewalk show presents quality visual art and live entertainment the whole family can enjoy. The festival is held in beautiful Central Park located along historic Park Avenue in downtown Winter Park.

The festival is open from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. both days.

Admission is free!

October 12-15 Florida Birding & Nature Festival Apollo Beach

Four days of field and boat trips, expert seminars, keynote speakers, and a free nature expo with more than 20 vendors and organizations. There October are charges for certain portions of this festival.

October 14 McIntosh 1890s Festival McIntosh

Named for the decade when the community began to flourish, this festival has grown to more than 200 vendors with tens of thousands of visitors. Enjoy music, food, shopping, arts and crafts, jewelry, and more while enjoying local Victorian charm.

October 19-22 Biketoberfest Daytona Beach

Motorcycle enthusiasts come together during the four-day rally each year to enjoy beautiful Florida weather, live music, motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway, and miles of scenic rides along famous A1A, historic Main Street or the scenic Loop. Come experience the Southeast’s best motorcycle rally featuring motorcycle shows, custom bike builds and hundreds of the industry’s top vendors throughout Daytona Beach.

October 21 Sanford Jazz in the Park Sanford

Come out to the 6^th annual Jazz in the Park at Centennial Park. This family oriented events features live music, food trucks, vendors, and a cash bar. This music festival is presented by Ladies 327 in association with Historic Downtown Sanford.

October 21-22 Cedar Key Seafood Festival Cedar Key

Now it’s 53^rd year, this year’s festival will celebrate the year of the clam. The festival features seafood, more than arts and crafts vendors, music, and an amazing Saturday morning parade you won’t want to miss.

Renowned for its delectable seafood offerings, vibrant arts and crafts scene, and lively live music performances, the Cedar Key Seafood Festival promises visitors an unforgettable weekend full of fun and flavors.

October 25-29 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

With plans for multiple show locales, more than 1,300 boats, 1,000 brands, and 100,000 attendees, this is the boat show for any marine enthusiast. Buy your tickets in advance online (HINT, HINT, they aren’t cheap).

October 27-29 Naples Stone Crab Festival Naples

A Naples tradition for more than a decade, enjoy stone crab, other seafood, live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, and more.

October 28 Florida Territory Living History Dade City

A living history event depicting Florida history before 1845: pre-history/archeological, pre-Columbian (15th Century and before), Spanish Colonial Period, Seven Years/Revolutionary War, Patriot War/War of 1812, Seminole Wars.

Tickets at the Gate Only.

Florida Territory Living History Day at Pioneer Florida Museum and Village

October 28-29 Mount Dora Fall Craft Fair Mount Dora

Consistently voted in the top 5 craft fairs across the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine Subscription

The downtown streets come alive with almost 400 of the best exhibitors in the country ready to show and sell their fine and fun crafts at this annual event. Festival food, music, beer, wine, cocktails and some special guest appearances will round out the event.

October 28-29 Lake Wales Pioneer Days Festival

Happening in Lake Wailes Park, this event will feature reenactors and historic demonstrations, more than 60 craft market vendors, local food vendors, community partners, and be sure to nominate someone for “Pioneer of the Year.”

October 29 Tavares Trailblazers Tavares

Join historian Richard Lee Cronin at the Tavares History Research Center for a presentation celebrating some of the exceptional individuals and the roles each played in the development of the town.

Thank you to Bob Grenier for alerting me to this event! Remember, if you have an event that you would like me to include in future posts, drop me a line with the information. It’s free!

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.

Posted on May 12, 2021April 15, 2024 by Robert — Leave a comment

Historic Lake Monroe Bridge in Sanford, Florida

Lake Monroe Historic Marker — The front side of the Lake Monroe Bridge in Sanford, Florida Historic Marker

Lake Monroe Bridge marker — The backside of the Lake Monroe historic marker

Marker Text

The Lake Monroe Bridge was the first electronically operated swing bridge in Florida. In 1932-1933, the
state used Federal assistance to build the bridge, which replaced a wooden toll bridge that was manually
operated. The construction of the bridge provided economic relief for an area hurt by the economic
collapse of the Depression era. The bridge was fabricated by Ingalls Iron Works of Birmingham, Alabama;
the swing machinery manufactured by Earl’s Gears and Machine Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and it
was erected by W. W. White Steel Construction of St. Petersburg, Florida. Kreis Contracting Company of
Knoxville, Tennessee was the general contractor for the Florida Department of Transportation. The
Florida Department of Transportation and Seminole County cooperated in preserving the swing span as
a fishing pier when the new Benedict Bridge was completed in 1994.

The Lake Monroe Bridge had historic impact on the communities of the area, but also is of historical
value as an example of a branch of bridge engineering.

The Lake Monroe Bridge was 627 feet, and included a 235 foot swing span. It carried the main route
linking Daytona Beach and Tampa, via DeLand, Sanford, Orlando, and Lakeland. It could pivot 360
degrees on its curved rack and two spur pinions.

The Warren-type through truss construction had a central panel section peaked to accommodate the
drive machinery. The Warren-type truss is considered the most economical type of construction for
continuous spans. It is characterized by diagonals that alternate in direction. The first diagonal beam
starts at base level and goes up to the top. The next level diagonal starts at the top and goes down to
the base level. The diagonals are in tension and compression in alternate panels. To meet the heavy
stresses of the swing span operation the bridge arms were heavily reinforced and had riveted
connections at all stress points. The harbor for Lake Monroe Park in Volusia County was created by fill
taken from the approaches to the Lake Monroe Bridge.

Seminole County Board of County Commissioners

This marker is not part of the State of Florida historic marker program.

Lake Monroe Bridge dedication April 6, 1934 — The April 6, 1934 Lake Monroe Bridge dedication. Image courtesy Florida Memory n028431

Local newspaper reports state that dedication of the $75,000 Bridge took place at a 3 p.m. ceremony on
April 6, 1934. Participants included Florida Governor David Sholtz and the Stetson University band. An image of the dedication is shown above.

See some beautiful early images of Sanford, FL in this title from the Images of America Series. From its days as a leading river town, to being the Celery Capital, to being the home to many incredible mid-century modern homes, Sanford has an incredible history.

Also recommended is African Americans of Sanford, which recognizes and applauds those who have helped to preserve Sanford’s history as well as those who have participated in making it.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence the views and opinions shared in this blog.

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