Upcoming events

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• Festival of Lights

  • Start
    December 06, 2024
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • End
    December 24, 2024
  •  
    9:00 PM
  • Location
    Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

  The 2024 Festival of Lights will begin on Friday December 6 and end December 24.

  December 6 through the 23 will be all Holiday Magic Nights!  Complimentary popcorn, hot cocoa, marshmallows by the bonfire, Santa, food and craft vendors, kid's crafts and more. 

  The lights come on at dusk and the last ticket sold nightly will be at 8:30 pm. Festival Entrance Gates close at 8:30 pm and the park will close at 9 pm.

  December 24th will be our only Silent Night.
  

  The cost is $4.00 per person and children under 3 are free.

  If you are interested in volunteering or creating a light display, please contact the park at 386-397-7009

  APPLY TO BE A CRAFT VENDOR

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• I Heart Art Craft Show

  • When
    January 11, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

  CRAFT VENDORS, CRAFT CABINS, DEMONSTRATIONS

  Saturday January 11th in the Craft Square from 10 am to 3 pm 

  If you are interested in becoming a vendor, please contact Carol at artinmypark@yahoo.com
  

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• Stephen Foster Day

  • When
    January 12, 2025
  •  
    2:00 PM
  • Location
    11016 Lillian Saunders Drive

  Join us for a National Stephen Foster Day celebration. Music and light refreshments in the Carillon Tower starting at 2 pm on Sunday, January 12

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• I Heart Art Craft Show

  • When
    March 08, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

  CRAFT VENDORS, CRAFT CABINS, DEMONSTRATIONS

  Saturday March 8th in the Craft Square from 10 am to 3 pm 

  If you are interested in becoming a vendor, please contact Carol at artinmypark@yahoo.com
  

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• Florida Old Time Music Championship & Gathering

  • Start
    March 28, 2025
  •  
  • End
    March 30, 2025
  •  
  • Location
    Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

  SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

  
  

  Florida Old Time Music Championship will be held March 28-30, 2025, at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, FL.  The event has four parts: the Championship Contests, the Workshops, the Old-Time Music Gathering Campground Jams, and the Guest Artist Performances.

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  Our Guest Artists are well-known Old-Time Musicians coming from many parts of the United States. They perform each day as well as mingle with our attendees at the campground jams.

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  The Championships include 19 to 21 different contests. Contest entries are free to all attendees who pay admission to our event. 

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  Any workshops are also included for FOTMC attendees with the event admission fee as are the two Evening Contra Dances.

   

  The workshop instructors are notable Florida Old-Time musicians and dancers. The dances are called by well-known and skilled callers with music provided by Florida dance band musicians.

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  FOTMC, Inc. asks for a $10 donation for each person attending a dance who is not registered for the weekend event.

  
  

  ​GET INFORMATION | Florida Old Time Music (fotmcinc.com)

  
  

  FOTMC 2025

  Friday, March 28 through
  Sunday, March 30, 2025

  Stephen Foster
  Folk Culture State Park

  FOTMC 2025 Admission Donations:

  FOTMC, Inc. Members         

  Friday Only         $20   

  Saturday Only    $25          

  Sunday Only      $10           

  Weekend            $50            

  Pre-Registration for weekend   $40                      

  (Pre-Registration on or Before February 3, 2025)

  ​

  NON-Members of FOTMC, INC 

  Friday Only         $25

  Saturday Only    $30

  Sunday Only       $15

  Weekend              $60

  Pre-Registration for Weekend      $50

  (Pre-registration On or Before February 3, 2025)

  
  

  ​Friday & Saturday Dances

  • Free admission to FOTMC, Inc. Member FOTMC 2025 Attendees 

  • Free admission to Non-FOTMC, Inc. Members with their Weekend admission fee.

  • $10 each dance for non-FOTMC 2025 attendees only attending dances

  NOTE: Stephen Foster State Park Camping Fees are not included with FOTMC 2025 Admission.

  • Camping Fees are the responsibility of attendees staying at the Stephen Foster State Park Campground. 

  • All Regular Daily Park Admission Fees Are to be paid to the State Park each day of FOTMC 2025 attendance if attendees are not camping on the Stephen Foster State Park campground. 

  
   

   

  
  

  
  

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• Antique Tractor and Engine Show

  • Start
    April 03, 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • End
    April 05, 2025
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • Location
    11016 Lillian Saunders Drive

  Register

  35th ANNUAL ANTIQUE TRACTOR & ENGINE SHOW

  Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park will host the 35th Annual Antique Tractor and Engine Show April 3-5, 2025. Antique tractors and farming equipment reflecting 200 years of rural American history will be on display.

  Compete in the tractor pulls and watch demonstrations of shingle milling, corn grinding, home canning and more. Unusual engines for everyday purposes with exhibits and collections of flywheels, hit and miss engines, water pumps, vintage pedal tractors, antique cars, and farm equipment.

  On Saturday morning, an antique tractor parade will feature everything from customized lawn tractors to restored farm machinery. Try your luck at our raffle prizes, shop and eat with our vendors.  We have tons of family fun activities and a kid's area on Saturday!

  Admission to the public is $5 per vehicle with up to eight passengers.

  If you would like to participate, please contact Andrea (386) 397-4478. 

  For more information, call (877) 635-3655 

  Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

  11016 Lillian Saunders Drive

  White Springs, FL 32096

   (Located on US 41, three miles from I-75 and nine miles from I-10)

  (386) 397-2733

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• Florida Folk Festival

  • Start
    May 23, 2025
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • End
    May 25, 2025
  •  
    11:00 PM
  • Location
    Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

  Visit Florida Folk Festival for details

  73rd ANNUAL FLORIDA FOLK FESTIVAL

  ~ The Best of Florida Music, Arts & Culture ~

  WHITE SPRINGS –The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park invite you to come celebrate the diverse culture, food, music and arts - everything that makes Florida unique! The 73rd Annual Florida Folk Festival, happening along the banks of the historic Suwannee River in White Springs Florida.  The festival will be held on Memorial Day weekend, May 23 – 25. Gates open at 8 a.m., Stages open at 10 a.m., and opening ceremonies will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 23.

  Named a “Top 20 Event” in the Southeast, this festival has activities for everyone. In addition to a full schedule of performances, visitors may also participate in jam sessions, take workshops, enjoy local eats, see educational exhibits, visit with various vendors, take a dance lesson, and hear stories from all over the state.

  Folk artists have come together for this event since 1953. There will be more than 300 performances by Florida’s greatest artists, including national recording artists, songwriters, and musicians of folk, blues, gospel, country, Latin, jazz, bluegrass, Caribbean, and zydeco music.

  The Department of State’s Folklife Area will be celebrating the Elements and this year’s element will be Earth. Visit the Folklife Stage to experience food  ways, demonstrations, traditions, superstitions and weather lore.

  Advance tickets for the Florida Folk Festival are $35.00 per day or $70.00 for the weekend for adults. On the day of the event tickets will be $40.00 per day or $80.00 for the weekend at the gate. Children under six years of age are admitted free of charge. Ticket prices for children between the ages of six and 16 for the entire weekend $5.00.

  Camping is not offered on the festival grounds but do not worry there are plenty of places to camp in the area. Camping and lodging are also available at Suwannee River State Park, O’Leno State Park, Ocean Pond, Jennings K.O.A. and Spirit of the Suwannee to name a few. For a listing of local public and private campgrounds, cabins and motels in Hamilton County, nearby Columbia County, and Suwannee County visit LakeCityFL.com

  The Florida Folk Festival is a rain or shine event.

  Pets are not allowed at the Florida Folk Festival.

  Personal golf carts are not allowed at the Florida Folk Festival.

  For more information, please call 1-877-6FL-FOLK (1-877-635-3655) or visit www.floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster or www.FloridaFolkFestival.com.

  
  

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