JPF Home Page Forums Southeast US Chapter Message Boards Tampa Chapter Message Board Florida Folk Festival Cancelled

I received an email through the FolkMe listserve and then confirmed it at the following website:
http://www.floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster/ . Due to the wildfires burning throughout the state and so close to the festival site they've decided that for safety reasons the festival will not occur this year - Shoot!

I'm dissapointed, I was really looking forward to playing the festival for the first time this year. It makes total sense, though. The state and local public service agencies must be pretty worn out by now, and the fires are still burning.

As a lifelong Cubs fan, I have lots of practice saying, "wait'll next year."

Mike

http://www.myspace.com/mikeworrall
http://www.myspace.com/stephensworrall
http://www.coldharborband.com

I know a lot of people that are going to be very disappointed.
I hope that whom ever runs the Florida Folk Festival has the for sight to re schedule this event in the near future.
Better to be safe than to make the term "burned out musician" a reality.

Hmmm . . . the word they are using on the announcements is "cancelled" not "postponed." I'll wait until I get my direct call from Elaine, but I'm guessing its like Mike says, "wait'll next year."

I am now going to screaaaammmmmmmm! Ah, thats better. It is a shame but safety first. I remember the year that there was a fire just to the south of the festival and the smoke blew through the grounds all weekend. I walked away with a nasty cough. The rest of us will adjust. But I will be having some sort of withdraws thatweekend. Anyone having any jams??????
Doug we will hookup soon. James

Very sad news, indeed. I got the news at lunchtime at work. Very sad... we are losing so much of our precious land. I'm still concerned for the critters.
It is a big possibility there will be an accoustic jam & get together after all. There is a park called BayView on Gulf to Bay just west of the bayside Bridge overpass. 4 1/2 acres with over 125 sprawling oaks. Lots of shade.
Just to let you know that Shelly Eckert has been in touch with the city of Clearwater to obtain port-o-potties on the sunday of Memorial weekend. We should know on Monday, but in the meantime, a bunch of us are going to plan to be there anyway. Bring a chair, an instrument and a dish to share. More details forthcoming. Anyone else wanna come play????
The spirit of the Suwannee is alive in Pinellas County.

oh my god goody! that land used to be a trailer park! (i lived there for a while in the late 70's!!) i think this is a great idea! and would love to attend. please keep us posted! i also respect your concern over the "critters". (as that's where my head is in all of this smoke and stuff.)i've had turtles on my property, and other weird things in the last week. (i think the smoke is bothering them as well,) hey , i got a song idea from this!( it don't take much!! LOL!) and i'll have it ready for the show!!( if not sooner). again great idea goody! and i really hope it comes together!! (port-a-potties or not.) ha-ha-ha..love, barn.

Here's the text of Elaine's email:

By this time you have heard that we have cancelled the Florida Folk Festival (the details are below in our media release). We’re currently exploring our options for rescheduling and will keep you all informed. We’re still working on some details, but if you have questions please let us know. We’re all deeply saddened that the festival had to be cancelled, but we’re looking forward to 2008.

Elaine McGrath
Events Coordinator
Stephen Foster
Folk Culture Center State Park