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.
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