Perfect Weather Drew Large Crowd for Rotary Valentines Celebration

The weather was picture perfect this past Saturday for the Wakulla County Rotary Club's 10th Annual Valentines Day Celebration in Crawfordville's Hudson Park.  One of the largest crowds ever turned out for the event, lining Crawfordville Highway in anticipation of the first parade of the year.

And what a parade it was, with close to 60 entries including elaborate floats, marching bands, cute kids, motorcycles, horses, political candidates, and even a NASCAR race car.  Spectators clapped and cheered as the parade made its way through Crawfordville, and everyone came away with enough candy to last until the next festival!  "The parade was great!" said Parade Chairperson Brian English.  "Over 50 floats participated, and everyone seemes to have a good time.  Very few counties can boast of the sense of community spirit we have here in Wakulla County.  Events like the Valentines Celebration make me feel very blessed to live where I do."  English also thanked his fellow Rotarians who came out early to help get everyone lined up and in their places.  "It makes the job much easier when you have great help."  

The festival actually kicked off at 8:00 a.m. with the annual Breakfast in the Park, sponsored by Best Western Wakulla Inn & Suites and Gulf Coast State Bank.  Rotarians Jared Miller, Fran Councill and Niraj Patel, along with several members of the WHS Interact Club, served up hot scrambled eggs, sausage, grits, biscuits and coffee to those hardy enough to brave the chilly morning weather. 

The festivities continued throughout the day in Hudson Park with non-stop entertainment and close to 70 vendors, including both food and arts and crafts.  Festival goers enjoyed seafood, pulled pork barbecue, deli-style food, and more.  There were also several booths with delicious baked goods, including decadent desserts whipped up by Audrey Coles of Scratch Cakes.  There was also a petting zoo and pony rides for the kids, as well as bouncers, face painting, and even a "Kissing Booth"! 

Vendor Chairperson Becky Bergeron was very pleased with the vendor turnout.  "I thought we had a good number and variety of booths this year," said Bergeron.  "They were a great group and really seemed to enjoy themselves."  Bergeron added that she felt high gas prices may have kept some vendors away, noting that Warner Robbins, GA was the furthest distance any vendor traveled.

Entertainment for this year's event included the all-girl band Calliope, Charles and Joan Smith and the Sunshine Band, COAST Charter School Music Students (under the direction of teacher Dan Cantwell), City Limits, Total Impact, Taylor Leigh, the Lanark Scottish Fiddlers Orchestra, and Ray Rogers.  The National Anthem was performed by Shannon Egler (of both Calliope and Pink Shoelaces). 

The drawing for the $1000 Grand Prize was held promptly at 3:00 p.m.  The crowd grew quiet as the ticket drum was turned one last time, then a cheer rang out as Rotary President JoAnne Strickland announced Clara Green as the winner!

"We couldn't have asked for better weather," said Rotary President JoAnne Strickland.  "The parade was bigger and better than ever, and the park stayed full all afternoon."  Strickland thanked everyone in the community for coming out and supporting the event, and also thanked all the sponsors who helped make the festival possible.  "All the funds raised at the celebration will go back to the community in support of charitable projects and organizations," added Strickland.  "We should be able to do some great things for Wakulla County during the coming year."

Click here for a Wakulla.com photo gallery of the celebration!  

This article originally published on February 11, 2008.

Written by :

mkwestmark

 

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