EATONVILLE, Fla. – It’s the 35th year for the annual three-day outdoor festival that honors and celebrates literary legend Zora Neale Hurston.
On day two of the festival, it was a big celebration all for a good cause.
“The people, and seeing the people congregate and come together,” remarked festivalgoer Karee Adams.
There was music, shopping, good food and lots of vendors.
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It recognizes the history of Eatonville and the cultural contributions people of African ancestry have made to the country and to the world.
“It’s important because she was a Black author and i just believe we should support our own,” Adams said.
The festival is also right on time for vendors who look forward each year to a big boost.
Ngina Clarke owns Gina and Sab.
“The vibe is like when I’m here it reminds me like I’m in Africa, and I want to meet my people and also (sell) our stuff,” Clarke said.
With the many vendors and people who came from all over, organizers project about $2.1 million in economic impact from the weekend festival.
Organizer N.Y. Nathiri is executive director of the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community. She said the event is very important and necessary to preserve the history of Eatonville and the famed author.
“She (Hurston) is an international known figure and Eatonville is a national treasure,” said Julian Johnson, who grew up in Eatonville.
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