by Tammie Barfield, General Manager, The Wakulla News
Wakulla Chautauqua. Has a nice ring to it but how do you say it, and what is it? Pronounced sha-to-kwa, Chautauqua is an adult education movement in the United States which was highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chautauqua brought entertainment and culture for the whole community, featuring speakers, teachers, musicians, entertainers, preachers and specialists of the day with the intent of strengthening communities by offering education, entertainment and laughter.
Chautauqua was particularly popular in rural areas like Wakulla due in part to the social and geographic isolation of American farming and ranching communities of that era. People in such areas would naturally be hungry for education, culture and entertainment, and Chautauqua was a timely response to that need. By the turn of the century, however, other entertainment and educational opportunities, such as radio and movies, began to arrive in American towns to compete with Chautauqua events. Then, with the advent of television and the automobile, people could watch or travel to cultural events previously available only in urban areas, and the Chautauqua movement lost its popularity.
While Wakulla County offers a variety of its own entertainment, culture and education, being located so close to Tallahassee provides additional opportunity to enjoy plays, opera, concerts, lectures, and more. The Chautauqua idea takes our community one step further by bringing together members from all walks of our Wakulla community for a day of laughter, entertainment and education.
Our Wakulla Chautauqua 2008 will be a one-day event at Hudson Park with the idea of providing entertainment for children and adults, learning about civic and nonprofit organizations in the community, appreciating the talent of local artists and artisans who will display their work, and kicking off the political season offering the public a chance to meet and visit with our candidates running for office. Chautauqua avoids taking political stands while instead inviting public officials of all political parties to be present, assuring a balanced occasion for the members of the assembly.
Chautauqua Wakulla 2008 is being brought to you by The Wakulla News, Wakulla.com, and Concerned Citizens of Wakulla (CCOW). Grab your blankets, chairs, and join us at Hudson Park on Saturday, July 5 from 10am til 2pm. And bring a towel!
This article originally published on June 23, 2008.
Local News 
Wakulla Chautauqua. Has a nice ring to it but how do you say it, and what is it? Pronounced sha-to-kwa, Chautauqua is an adult education movement in the United States which was highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chautauqua brought entertainment and culture for the whole community, featuring speakers, teachers, musicians, entertainers, preachers and specialists of the day with the intent of strengthening communities by offering education, entertainment and laughter.
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