Heritage Festival off to good start
The first of a series of three festivals, Heritage Festival, held last weekend, was off to a good start with approximately 40 vendor booths. -SVT Photos by Tami Stevenson
Jilyanne Hiltibidal, performing under the name, Gray Murder. She sang and played some original music along with other songs on her guitar in the pavilion. Her mother Lindsey, said Jilyanne is self-taught and came up with her stage name because she loves crows and birds. -SVT Photo
By Tami Stevenson
Last weekend Heritage Park and Gardens in Live Oak held the first of three festivals organizers hope will become community favorites. Partnering together to host these events are Suwannee River Regional Library, Live Oak Artists Guild, UF/IFAS Extension in Suwannee County and the Live Oak Museum.
During this first festival they featured storytelling, live music and family fun activities along with approximately 40 craft and food vendors on the historic grounds of Heritage Park and Gardens.
A perfectly beautiful fall day, visitors and vendors alike enjoyed spending time with old friends and new in the cooler temperatures.
One interesting vendor booth featured wood turning with a twist. Called Tarry Place, Dana Homminga, of McAlpin, mixed and turned epoxy with some of his wood designs, along with things like deer antlers, pistachio shells, etc. The results were stunning works of art.
Among the musicians scheduled to play was nineteen year old Jilyanne Hiltibidal, performing under the name, Gray Murder. She sang and played some original music along with other songs on her guitar in the pavilion. Her mother Lindsey, said Jilyanne is self-taught and came up with her stage name because she loves crows and birds.
They had music for adults under the pavilion while the children’s music and storytelling were held on the back porch.
Curlen Williams from Texas Roadhouse in Lake City, was on the back porch reading The True Story of the Three Little Pigs to children with such enthusiasm, one couldn’t help but stop and listen. She said she read this story to her daughter almost every night before she went to bed and was her favorite.
Melissa Joseph works in the children’s department at the Live Oak branch of Suwannee River Regional Library and was manning the library booth. She said they were pleased with the vendor turn-out and most of them planned to come back for the other two events.
The second festival, All Aboard, will be held February 3, 2024 at the Live Oak Museum and Train Station. They will be celebrating the history of transportation, including the major contribution of the railroad and its impact on the growth in North Florida.
Third is the Wildflower Festival, and will be back at Heritage Park and Gardens on April 27, 2024. They will celebrate the wonderful blossoming of spring wildflowers North Florida is famous for.
Organizers are also seeking vendors, local support and volunteer help for the last two festivals. Interested persons please contact the Youth Services Department at the Live Oak Public Library by calling 386-364-3479 or email:
Prior to the first festival, Suwannee Regional Library held some pre-festival activities including story times, quilt displays, teen and children’s art shows along with special presentations and workshops.
Two Photos Above: Dana Homminga, of McAlpin. Wood turning with epoxy, deer antlers, pistachio shells, etc. - SVT Photo
Curlen Williams from Texas Roadhouse in Lake City read The True Story of the Three Little Pigs with such enthusiasm one couldn’t help but stop and listen. -SVT Photo
Kids making scarecrows at the craft table during Heritage Festival. -SVT Photo
Amy Bailey of Live Oak brought her spinning wheel. She has been spinning for about 5 years. -SVT Photo
Marianne and Dan Graves of Pinetta, Florida. Dan Graves, an accomplished artist and musician, came with his guitar to perform under the pavilion during the Heritage Festival event. -SVT Photo
Vendor Liza Seigido (left) was selling cigar box guitars she built herself. Lawrence Moore said he helps with the sanding but everything else she creates herself. Both are new to Suwannee County.
-SVT Photo
