Skip to main content
Clear icon
53º

ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts is back in Eatonville

36th annual festival honors author Zora Neale Hurston

EATONVILLE, Fla. – Celebrate arts, music and legacy at Eatonville with the ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts.

The outdoor festival runs from Jan. 31 to Feb 2. in Eatonville with “vibrant performances, interactive art, and a celebration of the cultural contributions people of African ancestry have made to the United States and to the world,” and a Tribute to the Legends event, according to its website.

The festival is named after Zora Neale Hurston, who broke literary norms with her books about the experiences of Black people, women in particular. She was born in 1891, grew up in Eatonville and later died in 1960.

“We celebrate Zora’s life and the work, and we celebrate the historic significance of her hometown. She popularized Eatonville as the oldest incorporated African-American municipality in the U.S.,” festival organizer N.Y. Nathiri told News 6.

[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]

Outdoor festival schedule

  • Jan. 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Education Day
  • Feb. 1, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Family Day
  • Feb. 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Day of Reflection

Education Day is a free event where young students can explore STEM with a variety of learning booths and demonstrations for pre-K through grade 12 guests and their families.

Central Florida literary legend Jerry Craft will also be honored at the festival at a “Meet the Author” event hosted by the Orange County Library System on Jan. 31.

Family Day offers a “powerful combination” of music, education, and live performances for the entire family. Vendors, an international food court, museum exhibitions and K-12 programming will also be available. Tickets are free for children and students through Grade 12.

Tickets can be purchased here.

The third and final day of the outdoor festival is a Day of Reflection, where the “Tribute to the Legends takes center stage as the festival closes with soul-stirring performances honoring the musical icons Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, and Frankie Beverly.”

Tickets can be purchased here.

The ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts is located at 344 E. Kennedy Blvd, Eatonville.

You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below: