With sun shining down from a cloudless sky on Saturday, thousands made their way to Eatonville to celebrate and participate in the 23rd Annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival. Organizers say, the crowd could top 150,000 people and with nationally renowned R&B singer Keith Sweat slated to perform at the “Neo Soul” concert later, there is plenty of optimism the festival will hit its target.
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said, the Zora! Festival is an important community event for celebrating, not only the history of African-Americans, but the progress that has been made so far.
“It is important for us to take time out to remember our history, but as much as our history is important, I think, what is more important, it is a celebration of where we are as a country and as a local community,” she said. For me, color disappears and we are all human beings, Jacobs added.
Jacobs described Zora Neale Hurston’s impact as “nothing short of phenomenal” at a time when America was “so segregated and so discriminatory.”
Acclaimed as the largest arts and humanities festival in Florida, the Zora! Festival provides a major economic boost to the Town of Eatonville and surrounding communities, although Bruce Mount, Mayor of Eatonville, declined to give figures.
“The Zora! Festival is good for the economy,” he said.  “We always look forward to it, our business people always look forward to it.  Then there is the camaraderie and fun that people have.  It also boosts the community’s self esteem.  And so, we want the festival to continue.”
Orange County government provides major financial support to the Zora! Festival by way of the Tourist Development Tax, but does so on a competitive basis. Â But more support is needed to produce the festival each year, says N.Y. Nathiri, Director of Multidisciplinary Programs and one of the stalwarts behind the festival.
“The true strength of the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community (P.E.C.) comes from you,” she told the crowd of festival goers. “We need you more than ever to make some investment.” Â For the first time, “red boxes” aimed at encouraging donations have been placed strategically across the festival grounds.
Today’s “Family Day” also featured a festival favorite, the HATitude Brunch, at the Crowne Plaza in dowtown Orlando. The event celebrated Zora’s love of hats, with great audience participation.
The Zora! Festival, which spans 9 days, concludes tomorrow, with “Inspiration Day.” Â It begins with an Ecumenical Workship Service at 8:00 a.m. at the Life Center Church on east Kennedy Boulevard in Eatonville. The Outdoor Festival will open at 9:00 a.m. and run through 5:00 p.m. Beginning at 12:00 noon, “A Gospel Explosion” will take place on Center Stage.
For more information, go to: zorafestival.com.
