Springtime Tallahassee facts for kids
Springtime Tallahassee is a fun yearly event in Tallahassee, Florida. It happens in late March or early April. This festival celebrates Tallahassee's rich history and culture.
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History of Springtime Tallahassee
Springtime Tallahassee started in 1967. The main idea was to keep Tallahassee as Florida's state capital. At that time, some lawmakers from southern and central Florida wanted to move the capital. They thought it should be in a more central spot.
Leaders in Tallahassee worked together to keep the capital where it was. They asked their local lawmakers for help. Some lawmakers from other parts of Florida made unkind comments about Tallahassee. This made the Junior League of Tallahassee act. They took the wives of these lawmakers on a bus tour. They showed them old, beautiful homes in Tallahassee and nearby Monticello. Everyone loved the tour!
The Rotary Club also helped. They made a flyer saying, "You can see everything in Tallahassee in one hour!" They also published a history book called Tallahassee In View. It shared stories from the city's long past.
By the fall of 1967, about 20 different groups were planning the first festival. It was called the First Annual Tallahassee Spring Festival. The first festival included the Apalachee Jubilee. This had a parade and a pageant. They celebrated Tallahassee becoming the capital of Florida when it was a territory.
In 1969, a group of men led by A.F. "Pete" Rich helped organize the festival. His wife, Mrs. Jean Rich, was the main leader for the event. They created an official group called SpringTime Tallahassee, Inc. This group wanted to share the history and beauty of Tallahassee with everyone in Florida.
By 1970, Springtime Tallahassee had 200 members. In 1971, they changed how the group worked. They divided it into five "krewes." Each krewe would show a different time period in Tallahassee's history.
The Jubilee in the Park event was not held in 2018. This was because of the group's lightning safety rules. There was a risk of lightning, and not enough safe places to go.
In 2020, the entire Springtime Tallahassee event was canceled. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the event happened later than usual, on May 15th. This was the latest date in its history.
The Grand Parade was not held in 2022. This was due to the group's weather rules. Rain was expected, and there were not enough shelters.
Exciting Springtime Events
- Breakfast in the Park is how the fun begins. Everyone in the community is invited to eat together. This happens in one of Tallahassee's old downtown parks. Live TV and radio stations are often there.
- The Friday night Music Fest is a free concert. It takes place on Kleman Plaza. Famous musicians perform there. It happens the night before the big Parade and Jubilee.
- The Springtime Tallahassee Parade is huge! It has many amazing floats from all over the southeastern United States. You'll see people dressed in fancy costumes. There are even horse-drawn carriages, which bring back old memories. Over 200,000 people come to watch this parade. It's one of the biggest parades and craft shows in the Southeast.
- The Jubilee in the Park is a lively outdoor event. It combines arts and crafts, interesting exhibits, tasty food, and fun entertainment all day long.
- The Springtime 10k is a road race. It is organized by the Gulf Winds Track Club. This race happens right before the Springtime Tallahassee Parade. It starts downtown in front of City Hall. The route goes through the Myers Park neighborhood, east of the Capitol. About 1600 people run in this race every year.
Historical Krewes
The Springtime Tallahassee organization is divided into five main krewes. These groups represent different periods of Tallahassee's history. They are: Spanish, American Territorial, Antebellum-Statehood, War and Reconstruction, and 20th Century. Each krewe creates a special float for the parade. They also have another entry to show their historical time.
Spanish Krewe
The Spanish Krewe is the largest krewe. It represents Florida when it was under Spanish rule, from 1528 to 1821. They also highlight Hernando de Soto's explorations in Florida in 1539. The Spanish Krewe helps with many good causes throughout the year. They are very active in the five main Springtime Tallahassee parties and on Float Day.
American Territorial Krewe
The American Territorial Krewe shows Florida's time as a United States territory. On March 4, 1824, Governor William P. Duval officially named Tallahassee the state capital. Later that year, the town was officially named Tallahassee. Tallahassee became an incorporated city in 1825.
Antebellum Krewe
The Antebellum Krewe represents the years from 1825 to 1860. This was a time when farmers from the north moved to the rich lands of Leon County. Tallahassee grew a lot socially and politically during this period. Napoleon Bonaparte's nephew, Prince Achille Murat, and his wife Catherine Willis Gray lived here. Catherine was the grandniece of George Washington. They became important people in the community. Florida became the 27th state in 1845. It had about 66,500 people then. This krewe collects canned goods, dry goods, and gently used coats and blankets. They donate these items to a local charity. Their main theme is southern charm and being welcoming.
War and Reconstruction Krewe
The War and Reconstruction Krewe covers the years from 1861 to 1900. This includes the American Civil War. Tallahassee was the only southern capital east of the Mississippi River that Union troops did not capture. Members of this krewe wear clothes from that time. Women wear dresses from 1865-1900, including bustled dresses and hoop skirts. Men also dress in period clothing. A costume expert helps members find the perfect outfit. This time period includes the Civil War and the rebuilding years after it.
20th Century Krewe
The 20th Century Krewe shows how Tallahassee grew. It changed from a quiet Southern town to a busy capital city. Florida's state government has been the main industry here. Farming, timber, and cattle raising have also been important for the city's economy. At the start of the 20th century, Tallahassee had only 3,000 people. Now, its population is about 190,000.
Belles and Gents
The Springtime Belles and Gents are a service group. They are high school-aged young women and men. They are children or grandchildren of Springtime members. These young people go through training. They learn about Tallahassee and Florida history. They also learn about good manners and how to present themselves. They take part in community, social, and government events. Mr. and Miss Springtime are chosen based on their community service, knowledge of history, interviews, and a vote from their friends. They receive a $500 scholarship from Springtime. They are announced at the yearly Coronation Ball. They lead the Springtime Festivities. They, along with older members, are introduced to all Springtime Tallahassee members at the Grand Ball.
Governor's Staff
This group is not a krewe, but it's a special part of Springtime Tallahassee. Two Springtime members are chosen to act as the Governor and the First Lady. The Governor and First Lady work with the President and General Chairman. They represent the organization. The Governor's Staff is made up of members from the five Krewes. Each Krewe chooses one member to serve for five years.
Springtime Organization
Springtime is a community group. It works to promote and protect Tallahassee's history. The Springtime Board of Directors leads the organization. They meet and work in downtown Tallahassee.
