Florida Azalea Festival
Encyclopedia
Dating back to the 1930s, the Florida Azalea Festival in Palatka, Florida
is one of the state's oldest festivals. The festival, coinciding with the blooming of the azalea
s, takes place every year on the first weekend of March. Most of the festivities take place in Downtown Palatka
, but a large concentration of azaleas in the Ravine Gardens State Park
also draw a crowd. Historic Lemon Street houses vendors, arts and crafts booths, as well as entertainment venues. Other activities include a beauty pageant, golf tournament, and parade. The event is conducted by the Palatka Main Street program
.
Palatka, Florida
Palatka is a city in Putnam County, Florida, United States. The population was 10,033 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 10,796. It is the county seat of Putnam County and includes East Palatka. Palatka is the principal city of the Palatka...
is one of the state's oldest festivals. The festival, coinciding with the blooming of the azalea
Azalea
Azaleas are flowering shrubs comprising two of the eight subgenera of the genus Rhododendron, Pentanthera and Tsutsuji . Azaleas bloom in spring, their flowers often lasting several weeks...
s, takes place every year on the first weekend of March. Most of the festivities take place in Downtown Palatka
Downtown Palatka
Downtown Palatka is the central business district of Palatka, Florida. According to the Palatka Community Redevelopment Agency, the district is bounded by Main Street to the north, Laural Street to the south, the St. Johns River to the east, and Eleventh Street to the west, Historical Fort...
, but a large concentration of azaleas in the Ravine Gardens State Park
Ravine Gardens State Park
Ravine Gardens State Park is a Florida State Park located in Palatka, Florida. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The park was constructed by the Works Progress Administration, with cypress buildings, rock gardens and fieldstone terraces. Near the park entrance is The Court...
also draw a crowd. Historic Lemon Street houses vendors, arts and crafts booths, as well as entertainment venues. Other activities include a beauty pageant, golf tournament, and parade. The event is conducted by the Palatka Main Street program
Main Street Programs in the United States
Over the past several decades a national movement of Main Street Programs has emerged. These may be statewide or regional "coordinating programs" or "local programs." Programs determined to be "Designated" follow best-practices established by the National Main Street Center and/or statewide or...
.