57th Annual Florida Folk Festival is this Weekend

The 57th Annual Florida Folk Festival takes place this weekend at the Stephen Foster Culture Center State Park in White Springs.

Activites got underway this morning at 8 a.m. and will continue each day this weekend (including Monday). Gates open at 8 a.m. each day at the park, which is located just of I-75 in North Florida, just north of the I-10, I-75 interchange.

The festival this year features 200 of Florida's best folk performing artists and also highlights a concert on Saturday night by well-known Florida recording artist Billy Dean. (Click here for weekend schedules).

In addition, it is a great place to explore the history and folk culture of Florida. There are story tellers, pine needle basket makers, genealogy (family history) experts, a variety of craftspeople, square dancing and classic Florida foods such as cornbread and collard greens, hoppin' john, shrimp gumbo, barbecue and more.

This is most likely the finest folk event in the state each year and if you are anywhere in North Florida, it is well worth the drive.

Tickets at the gate are free for children under 6 years old, $5 for children ages 6 to 16 and $25 for adults.

The Stephen Foster Culture Center State Park is located on the beautiful Suwannee River and interprets the folk life of the region as well as the musical contributions of 19th century composer Stephen Foster. Well known for such songs as "Camptown Ladies" and "My Old Kentucky Home," Foster is credited with launching the tourism in Florida through his composition, "Way Down Upon the Suwannee River." To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/stephenfoster.

Flooding Impacting a number of Florida Historic Sites

Severe flooding is causing problems at a number of Florida state parks and historic sites. Rivers across much of the state are out of their banks as a result of heavy rains that have fallen over the last two weeks.

Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna has been forced to close its popular cave tours as well as its Blue Hole swimming area and Hickory picnic area. The park's Visitor Center remains open.

Suwannee River State Park near Live Oak, which protects a number of historic sites, has been completely closed due to flooding. The U.S. 90 bridge over the Suwannee River adjacent to the park is also closed.

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs has closed nature trails and some other areas of the park.

Here is the complete list of full and partial closings as of today from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection:

Continued state park closures include:

Adams Tract River Camp
C/o Troy Springs State Park
674 N.E. Troy Springs RoadBranford, Florida 32008
*Closed until further notice.

Holton Creek River Camp
C/o Suwannee River State Park
3631 201st Path
Live Oak, Florida 32060
*Closed until further notice.

Dowling Park River Camp
C/o Suwannee River State Park
3631 201st Path
Live Oak, Florida 32060
*Closed until further notice.

Fanning Springs State Park
18020 N.W. Highway 19Fanning Springs, Florida 32693
*Closed to swimming until further notice. The cabins and park remain open for day use visitors.

Madison Blue Springs State Park
8300 N.E. State Road 6Lee, Florida 32059
*Closed until further notice.

Lafayette Blue Springs State Park
799 N.W. Blue Spring RoadMayo, Florida 32066
* Closed until further notice.

Manatee Springs State Park
11650 NW 115th Street
Chiefland, Florida 32626
*The Usher Boat Ramp, swimming and diving are closed until further notice. The park remains open for campers and day use visitors.

Peacock Springs State Park
12087 SW US Highway 27
Ft. White, Florida 32038
*Portions of the park, including swimming and diving, are closed to visitors until further notice.

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
U.S 41 North
White Springs, Florida 32096
* Hiking trails and other portions of the park are closed to visitors until further notice.

Suwannee River State Park
3631 201st Path
Live Oak, Florida 32060
*Closed until further notice. Adjacent U.S. 90 bridge is also closed to traffic.

Troy Springs State Park
674 N.E. Troy Springs RoadBranford, Florida 32008
*Closed to swimming and diving until further notice. The park remains open for day use visitors.

Florida Caverns State Park
3345 Caverns Road
Marianna, Florida 32246
*Campground, cave tours and the Blue Hole use area, and hickory picnic area are closed until further notice. The visitor center and is open for day use visitors.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459
*The isolated day use area accessed by Topsail Road, off of Highway 98 is closed until further notice. The rest of the park remains open for day use and overnight visitors.

Visitors can contact state parks directly for the most up to date information on park closures, or visit http://www.floridastateparks.org/. For additional information on flood conditions, visit http://www.floridadisaster.org/, or visit http://www.fl511.com/ for traffic updates.

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park - White Springs, Florida

"Way down upon the Suwannee River, far, far away..."

The words of Stephen Foster's longing 19th century melody have created images of a home far away for millions of people around the world. Suwannee River (also called Old Folks at Home) is now the state song of Florida and many attribute Foster's creation with sparking the tourism industry that fuels the economy of the Sunshine State.

Foster never actually saw the Suwannee River. He picked the name from a map of the South after his original words - "Way down upon the Pedee River" - didn't quite give him the sound he wanted. His song, however, inspired many others to travel to Florida in search of the beautiful stream.

Foster's contributions to American music are now memorialized at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida. One of the world's largest carillons is located on the grounds and plays Foster's songs at intervals throughout the day. The park is also the location of the Stephen Foster Museum, which features numerous artifacts and exhibits on Foster's life and music. One of the pianos he played is there, as is the desk on which he wrote Suwannee River.

In addition to preserving Foster's legacy, the park also serves as a state folk culture center for Florida. Artisans create native crafts on the grounds and a craft village gives visitors a chance to explore the folk art and crafts of Florida. Items ranging from woodwork to patchwork quilts are available for purchase.

To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/stephenfoster.