Mark Viola
Contributor
Taylor County, known as “Tree Capital of the South,” will celebrate its forestry heritage this month with the 67th Annual Florida Forest Festival – featuring the theme “Find Your Roots” – with events set for Wednesday, Oct. 19 through Saturday, Oct. 22.
Thrills are guaranteed at the festival carnival, which opens on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Perry-Foley Airport. Advance tickets are now on sale at the festival office (located in the Perry-Taylor County Chamber of Commerce). Tickets will also be available at the carnival.
“We have a new company who will be providing this year’s fireworks display, and we are expecting a great show,” stated Festival Chairman Dawn Perez.
The fireworks show is planned for Thursday, Oct. 20, at 8 p.m. at the airport.
On Friday, Oct. 21, downtown Perry will be a beehive of activity with a Kids’ Parade, Kids’ Fun Run and pet parade. The “fun run” will start at 5:30 p.m., followed by the kids’ parade at 6:15 p.m. and the pet parade will follow at 6:45 p.m.
On Saturday, Oct. 22, the “big day” will dawn bright and early with the Great Race 5k Run at 8 a.m., followed by the King Tree Parade rolling down Jefferson Street at 9:30 a.m.
Then, it’s off to Forest Capital Park (located on U.S. 19 in Perry) for opening ceremonies at noon and the “World’s Largest Free Fish Fry,” along with arts and crafts, food vendors, a heavy equipment exhibit and military vehicle display.
Festivities will also include the traditional chainsaw, cross cut and loader competitions.
Local and regional favorites – including the Green Farm Road Band, Andy Purcell, plus the British Invasion tribute band, The Invaders – will take the main stage at Forest Capital Park to provide live music throughout the day beginning at 12:30 p.m., while the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show is back to delight the crowd with three shows at 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Admission to the festival is free.
Applications are also available for those wanting to take part in the parades or races, as well as set up an arts and crafts booth, be a food vendor or provide special concessions.
For more information, visit FloridaForestFestival.org, Florida Forest Festival on Facebook or contact the festival office at (850) 584-TREE (8733).