The Hibiscus Festival
A weekend of family fun in mid April each year in historic downtown Vero Beach

History

The Hibiscus Festival began in 1953 and lasted 10 years.  In 2004, Main Street Vero Beach, Vero Heritage, Inc. and The Indian River County Historical Society brought it back to life!  These three non-profit organizations are the Sponsors of the Hibiscus Festival. Take a look at the activities for the 2008 Festival HERE.

Miss Hibiscus Pageant

The weekend launches with the popular Miss Hibiscus Pageant on Friday evening at the Heritage Center. Indian River County girls between the ages of 16 and 21 years old will vie for the coveted crown and a host of prizes and will preside over the Festival the next day. Everyone is invited to come and cheer on their favorite candidates!

Festival Activities & Hours

• 7:00 a.m.-5K Race
• 7:30 a.m.- 10 a.m.- Don Smith Memorial Pancake Breakfast
• 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Festival Hours - Featuring community booths, arts & crafts, fine art exhibit, food court, 9 live bands, historical exhibits, antique appraisals & exhibit, antique car exhibit, Salute to Youth Perfomances, childrens play area.
• 3:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Community Street Party - 3 live bands, food (snacks or dinner), beer and wine.

Hibiscus Festival Committee

The Hibiscus Festival Committee is responsible for coordinating and planning all the events. If you would like to volunteer and join the committee for 2009, contact Milt Thomas (Chairman) or Beverly Paris (Vice Chairman). The committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month, at 4:00 p.m. at the Heritage Center, located on 14th Avenue in Downtown Vero Beach.

Vendor Information

A popular aspect of the Hibiscus Festival is the Hibiscus Marketplace located along 14th Avenue, between 21st and 23rd Streets in historic downtown Vero Beach.  Vendors of art, fine handicrafts, jewelry, home accessories, lawn and garden services and other merchandise, as well as community and non-profit booths are invited to participate.

As in past years, we thoroughly welcome artists and craft vendors to participate.  Last year approximately 4,000 visitors attended the Festival.  It was a glorious and successful day!  The Hibiscus Festival Marketplace provides your organization with a wonderful opportunity for community exposure, plus it is an occasion to demonstrate your organization’s civic pride. 

The rental of a 10 ft by 10 ft. space is $35 per non-profit organizations and $50 for other vendors.

This is a non-refundable event and no tables, booth security or electricity will be provided.  To achieve uniformity, every vendor must provide and set up their own weighted (no stakes permitted), pop-up tent (preferably white).  Due to contract exclusivity, no artists or craft vendors may sell food, beverage, floral or plant items.  No soliciting will be permitted beyond any vendor’s booth space.  Booth assignments are given on a first come first served basis. 

Musical Performers

The Hibiscus Festival hired 12 musical acts for the 2008 Festival. Live Music is performed continuously throughout the day at three locations around the festival and three bands perform at the nightime street party immediately following. We hire solo performers, duos and full bands. We also support the sales efforts of CD's and the use of tip jars. Check back soon for band submission information.

Sponsorship

As everyone knows, no event is possible without the generosity of sponsor donations from area individuals and businesses.  The 2008 Hibiscus Festival is no different. The Festival will be held on April 18th and 19th in historic downtown Vero Beach. The beneficiaries of the Festival are Main Street Vero Beach, Vero Heritage, Inc. and the Indian River County Historical Society.

The 2008 Hibiscus Festival committee is proud to announce that The City of Vero Beach was the Presenting Sponsor of this event. Marine Bank & Trust, as well as the City were both Platinum sponsors.  Silver Sponsors included Citrus Bank, Hale Groves, National City Bank, the Richardson Family Foundation, Sam’s Club and Sun AG. Bronze sponsors included Hickey, Collins & Beach Chartered, Horizons Nursery, Runner’s Depot and Vero Beach Mitsubishi/Volvo. In-kind sponsors were ABC Printing/Coastal Graphics, City of Vero Beach, Everything Outdoors, Minuteman Press, Mr. Ron Rennick and Schumann Printing.  Media sponsors were Press Journal, Treasure & Space Coast Radio, Talking Phone Book and Vero Life.

The Hibiscus Festival committee and beneficiaries wish to extend thanks to all contributors.