Cultural Celebrations

By Vickie Oldham
Published: October 21, 2007
Last Updated On: October 20, 2011

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Florida's Black Heritage Trail

Throughout the year and throughout the state, a variety of events celebrate Florida's cultural diversity.

Florida's cultural diversity is showcased in festive celebrations that highlight the history and heritage of its peoples. Some cultural celebrations spotlight a pivotal event, important person or influential art form, but no matter the theme, these events strengthen pride among locals and inspire visitors to make an intimate connection to the Sunshine State.

ZORA! Festival

One of central Florida's most popular celebrations of African-American culture is the Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities, held annual during the last week in January in the author's hometown of Eatonville, just outside Orlando. Artists, writers, aspiring authors and long-time fans make the annual pilgrimage to the event that celebrates the Harlem Renaissance writer's life and work. Hurston collected and interpreted southern rural African-American folklore and is best known for the novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God.

The multi-day event has featured special guests such as Maya Angelou, Alice Walker or Nikki Giovanni and Miss Ruby Dee. There's food, live concerts and a world marketplace featuring artwork, clothing and more. www.zoranealehurstonfestival.com

Florida African Dance Festival

Pulsating African drumbeats kick-start this June event in Tallahassee that features choreographers, dancers and drummers from all parts of the continent - Guinea, Senegal, Ivory Coast and the Congo. Performers who've dedicated their lives to preserving ancient African traditions exude endurance, creativity and skill. But don't just watch the action from the sidelines. Become a part of the rhythm during dance and drum classes. There's also a health expo, natural hair demonstrations and other entertainment. www.fadf.org


Miami/Bahamas Goombay Festival

Put on your party shoes and head to the liveliest, most colorful festival in Florida. For a week in June, Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove is transformed into a Caribbean Carnival as residents proudly celebrate their Bahamian roots. Junkanoo Parade musicians in bright costumes delight crowds as they shimmy down the street, thumping tribal sounds from traditional instruments and goombay drums. Satisfy your appetite with Bahamian fare (remember, conch is king here). For bargain hunters, shop 400 booths featuring hand-made items. A word to the wise - get a good night's sleep before you arrive as this is the granddaddy of all block parties. If you can't get enough of Goombay in Miami, there's a similar event in Key West in October. www.goombayfestivalcoconutgrove.com

Where else can you hear Scottish bagpipes and an oompah band belting out polka tunes, while snacking on spicy Thai treats or a German sausage?

Panama City Festival of Nations

Here's an opportunity to tour the world without ever leaving the Sunshine State. The unique customs of Northwest Florida's diverse communities are showcased at this fall event, dubbed the "gateway to culture and heritage." Dozens of countries are represented to celebrate the differences and the ties that bind the human race. Where else can you hear Scottish bagpipes and an oompah band belting out polka tunes, while snacking on spicy Thai treats or a German sausage? A crowd pleaser is the international bazaar. www.panamacitydowntown.com


Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival

This event, which comes to the Tampa Fairgrounds each year, honors the warm, effusive nature of the West Indian culture and people through music, dance, food and crafts. The two-day festival is a spectacular affair that features a parade of colorful costumes, mesmerizing steel drum music and lots of merrymaking. www.carnivaltampa.com


Sistrunk Historical Festival

This festival is actually a yearlong series of events, including a concert, exhibits, parade and a fair commemorating the contributions of Dr. James Sistrunk, founder of the first hospital for blacks in Broward County. www.sistrunkfestival.org


Juneteenth

Freedom bells ring celebrating Juneteenth festivities throughout Florida. Events in cities including Naples, St. Augustine and Tampa commemorate slavery's end. www.juneteenth.com


The Wells' Built Museum Juneteenth Celebration and Statewide Chitlin Circuit Music Festival

In Orlando, Juneteenth coincides with a revival of African-American music and entertainment that once flourished along the "Chitlin' Circuit" in the South back in the 1800s. "Chitlin" refers to a popular menu item often served at these shows. The Wells’ Built Museum, formerly the South Street Hotel and Casino, is where Dr. Wells booked bands and other big-name entertainers who played within the Chitlin Circuit such as B.B. King, Bo Diddley and Louis Armstrong. www.pastinc.org