The Hibiscus Festival
A weekend of family fun in mid April each year in historic downtown Vero Beach

The Hibiscus Festival Mission Statement

The Hibiscus Festival is a yearly celebration for the City of Vero Beach, to increase awareness of the historic downtown sector, raise funds for the three sponsoring non-profits that work towards the preservation and growth of the area (Main Street VeroBeach, Vero Heritage, Inc. and the Indian River County Historical Society), and encourages community participation from residents, organizations and businesses. Click on the logo to the left to see the 2009 activities.

 

Premier Juried Art Show at Hibiscus Festival A Huge Hit The Hibiscus Festival, held Saturday, April 18th  in downtown Vero Beach, expanded its sights this year by adding on a Juried Art Show to their repertoire of activities.  The move resulted in nearly 40 artists setting up booths and over 15,000 people attending the day long Festival. The event included other booths of arts and crafts, jewelry and flowers and plants as well as children’s activities, live day long entertainment, a 5K Run, Fashion Show, exhibits, a Beatles Tribute Band and more. A space was provided for artists to set up their and display and artists were encouraged to display original artwork and offerings of the artist’s prints, notecards, postcards & small gift items.  Only Fine Art & Fine Crafts were considered and included paintings, drawings, sculpture, collage, mixed media, photography, pottery, glass and fine jewelry. Sharon Morgan was the Chairman and Francis Sprout was the official judge. The Cultural Council of Indian River County presented the show in cooperation with the Hibiscus Festival. Judge Francis Sprout chose the winning artists by reviewing their complete body of work rather than choosing individual works of art for the awards.  The decision was difficult, as the over-all quality of the fine art show was high, and several artists were being considered. First place winner of $300 was Erika Masterson, fine art black and white imagery from Melbourne . Hal Moore, Easel Paintings-Botanicals from Jensen Beach won $200 for second place and Vero Beach artist, Stacy Ekey, won $100. The 2010 Hibiscus Festival is scheduled for Saturday, April 17th.  For information pertaining to the Juried Art Show, contact Sharon Morgan at ircpublicart@yahoo.com

Miss Hibiscus and her Court Named at Hibiscus Festival Pageant One dozen single girls who are Indian River County residents and between the ages of 16 and 21, competed in the Miss Hibiscus Pageant held on Friday, April 17 in front of a capacity crowd at the Heritage Center in historic downtown Vero Beach  Sponsored by Florida Power & Light and Two Gators & A Dawg, the 2009 Miss Hibiscus Queen and runners-up ultimately presided over the Hibiscus Festival activities on Saturday, April 18 and will continue to represent historic downtown Vero Beach throughout the year. Each candidate was escorted into the event and judged on stage presence, poise, community service, personality and a personal interview.  There was no swimsuit or talent competition.  The winner of the Miss Hibiscus Pageant was 16 year old Chloe Rose a student at St. Edwards School . She has been awarded a grand prize of $1,000 cash and an array of gift certificates from local businesses.  Shanna Ward-20-employed- was Second place winner which earned her $300 cash plus prizes for each.  Co-winners were Lily O’Dare-18-Vero Beach High School and Brianne Manning-16-Indian River Charter High School. The 2010 pageant has been scheduled for April 16.  Interested parties should contact Elizabeth Graves Bass at 778-8800 for information on participating.

Hibiscus Festival Poster Competition Selects Winner

The Hibiscus Festival, to be held on April 17 and 18, 2009 in historic downtown Vero Beach , has held a Poster Competition to commemorate the yearly historic festival. The Hibiscus Festival is a yearly celebration for the City of Vero Beach, to increase awareness of the historic downtown sector, raise funds for the three sponsoring non-profits that work towards the preservation and growth of the area (Main Street Vero Beach, Vero Heritage, Inc. and the Indian River County Historical Society), and encourage community participation from residents, organizations and businesses.

Co-sponsored by the Cultural Council of Indian River County, local artists were asked to submit colorful poster designs for consideration to the committee. Nine entries were received and the Hibiscus Festival committee decided on one with muted colors that depicted a festival scene highlighting our downtown historic buildings in the background.

Ivo David, the winning artist, is an Italian born painter and poet and the founder of the artistic movement "The Fusionism, '56" which originated in Europe. His first original Manifesto of Fusionisn, '56 and his book of poems Memories of an Artist are registered with the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. David has exhibited in numerous locations within Italy, France, New York and New Jersey, as well as locally at the A.E. Backus Museum in Fort Pierce and the Vero Beach Museum of Art in Vero Beach. David's artistic achievements are reported by numerous art organizations in Europe and the United States. He is listed in many art reference books, artistic publications, art encyclopedias and a new book on David's art The Fusionism of Ivo David: A Search for Freedom in Art by O Tanelli (Il Ponte Edition, NY) is just off the press. David is listed in Who's Who in American Art, L'Academie due Perigord, France; International Biographical Center, Cambridge, Eng; Encyclopedia of Living Artists, USA; Who's Who Among the Italian Americans, NIAF. His works are in many collections nationally and internationally.

The winning art will be made into $15 posters (18w x 24h) and $3 postcards (5x7) and will be sold before, during and after the Hibiscus Festival with proceeds going to the three non profit beneficiaries. They can be purchased in advance at Frank’s Hang-Up, The Citrus Museum at the Heritage Center, the Cultural Council office and during Downtown Friday on March 27. The art will also be presented on the front page of the Hibiscus Festival insert published in the Press Journal on Thursday, April 16 and along with the original Hibiscus Festival posters and postcards, will be sold during the Hibiscus Festival on Saturday, April 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

All entries will be exhibited at the Cultural Council of Indian River County during office hours during the month of April. In addition to Ivo David, the other artist participants included Dan Bennett, Bettina Boudrot, Barbara Drndak, Dorothy Hudson, Viola Knudsen, Sharon Morgan and Gwen Simmons. Chairman Sharon Morgan may be reached at artsymorgan@yahoo.com for any further information.

Volunteers Needed For Hibiscus Festival

Plans are steadily coming together for the 2009 Hibiscus Festival, presented by the City of Vero Beach to benefit Main Street Vero Beach, Vero Heritage Inc. and the Indian River County Historical Society. 

The Festival will be held in historic downtown Vero Beach on Saturday April 18 from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the 60’s Hibiscus Festival Street Party, will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 in the Downtown Friday block.  Each year, the Festival has continued to grow and expand, and now offers even more activities for the entire family to enjoy.

As in past years, there are 200 volunteers needed to work in a variety of areas of the day-long, fun-filled event. Volunteers are needed as early as 6:30 a.m. for set up and 5:00 pm for Festival takedown and as late as 8:30 p.m. for take down of evening’s Street Party. Other volunteers are needed for drink sales, children’s activities, information booth, farmer’s market, marketplace booth setup, ticket, poster and postcard sales and barricade coverage. Shifts are 3 hours each, but people are welcome to take more than one shift.  If you are interested in providing a volunteer service for that one day please call 772-559-3861 or email Valerie@pulpnutrition.com. 

2009 Hibiscus Festival Marketplace Vendors Needed

(See our Vendor Ad)

The 2009 Hibiscus Festival will be held in historic downtown Vero Beach on Saturday, April 18 and is jointly sponsored by Main Street Vero Beach, Vero Heritage Inc. and The Indian River County Historical Society. 

The Festival continues to grow and this year we have extended both hours and street locations.  The Festival will now cover 14th Avenue between 21st and 23rd Streets, 21st Street between the Post Office and 14th Avenue , and 22nd Street between 14th and 15th Avenues.  Full Festival hours will be from 9 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.  Exhibitor booths will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. after which the party shifts to the 14th Avenue Theatre block for the evening event.

The Hibiscus Festival Committee welcomes your participation in the ever popular Hibiscus Festival Marketplace.  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 take part. An application must be filled out. Fine Art artists are invited to participate in the Juried Art Show.  A different application is needed for participation.  Both forms can be downloaded here:

Fine Art Show  Application

Vendor Application

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 Festival attracts over 5,000 people, young and old, and from all walks of life.  

The rental of a 10 ft by 10 ft. space is $35 per non-profit organizations, $50 for other vendors and $100 for political booths. Marketplace booth fees include extensive event publicity!  A late fee of $25 will apply to applications received after April 3, 2009 .

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 vendors may sell food, beverage, floral or plant items.  No soliciting will be permitted beyond any vendor’s booth space.  Food vendors will be by invitation only.

Reservations for booth space are currently being accepted and booth assignments will be       given on a first come first served basis.  Please email your interest to participate to Susan Viviano, Festival Booth Marketplace Chair, at susanviviano1956@yahoo.com or call her at 772-978-9596.

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Hibiscus Festival Committee Meetings

 Milt Thomas, Chairman of the annual Hibiscus Festival has announced that the Hibiscus Festival committee will hold planning meetings on the first and third Tuesday of every month until the Fesitval at the Heritage Center on 14th Avenue in Vero Beach . This year’s event will be held on April 17 and 18th in historic downtown Vero Beach.

Committee members arrange a wide range of activities that include the Miss Hibiscus Pageant, 5k Run, pancake breakfast, day long music and entertainment, salute to youth, children’s Activities, historic displays, a farmers market and marketplace booths, as well as a food and drink court. An Evening Community Dance Party showcasing food, drink and a Beatles Tribute Band is also held. 

The committee is open to new members/festival volunteers and those interested in participating for their own personal enjoyment, or to have their business or non-profit organization involved is encouraged to contact Milt Thomas at 567-2897 or Beverly Paris at 234-4412.

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Beatles Tribute Band to Highlight the 2009 Hibiscus Festival 60’s Party

Saturday, April 18, 2009 is an important date to mark on your calendar. “The Shindigs,” a 1960’s Beatles Tribute and British Invasion Band will grace the stage at the 1960’s Hibiscus Festival evening party which will conclude a day-long festival in the historic sector of downtown Vero Beach. Performing at the Vero Beach Museum of Art this past summer, “The Shindigs” were an instant hit offering up an evening of non-stop dancing, singing, and 60’s attire. The 1960’s Hibiscus Festival Party will be a repeat of that and more! The event is chaired by Marine Bank’s Georgia Irish, and underwritten by Bill Bryant and Associates.

Ms. Irish is presently looking for people who are interested in serving on the committee to help with all facets of the event including party decorations, food and drink, costumes, vendors, photography, staging, lighting and sound requirements.  The committee is also seeking a “Flower Power” bus/van or Volkswagen Beetle from the 60’s to feature at the event.

Sound like fun?  Please contact Ms. Irish at 772-231-8207, email girish@marinebankandtrust.com

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Sponsorship Opportunity Package

Milt Thomas, Chairman of the annual Hibiscus Festival has announced that the Hibiscus Festival committee has launched their Sponsorship Opportunity Package for the 2009 weekend event.  The event is held in the historic sector of Downtown Vero Beach and this year’s dates will be Friday April 17th for the Miss Hibiscus Pageant and Saturday, April 18th is Festival Day.

First presented in 1953, the historic Hibiscus Festival is an annual celebration of Vero Beach history and community spirit.  It is attended by thousands of adults, children and families from Vero Beach and surrounding communities.  It is also a major fundraiser for three community-oriented, 501-c-3 non-profit organizations that include Main Street Vero Beach, Vero Heritage, Inc (The Heritage Center) and the Indian River County Historical Society.

There are a wide range of activities offered for the public to enjoy that include the Miss Hibiscus Pageant, 5k Run, Pancake Breakfast, day long Music and Entertainment Salute to Youth, Kids Activities, Antique Autos, Farmers Market and Marketplace Booths, Flowing Plant Display and Sale, Artists Display and Sale, Food and Drink, Historic Exhibition and an Evening Dance Party with live entertainment.  New features are currently being examined for event expansion.

A wide spectrum of Platinum, Silver, Gold and Bronze sponsor opportunities are available as well as the exclusive sponsorships of an individual activity.  For participation contact Tricia Jenkins at 772-801-3410 or email Tricia@fearlessfundraising.com.   New committee members are welcome.

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City of Vero Beach is Hibiscus Festival Presenting Sponsor

The City of Vero Beach unanimously approved their participation as the Presenting Sponsors of the 2009 Hibiscus Festival voted at their meeting held on October 7. The historic city-wide celebration, which ran from 1953 to 1963 and reinstituted in 2004, will be held on April 17 and 18th in downtown Vero Beach.

Attending the City Council meeting were Hibiscus Festival representatives Spencer Porteous, Robert Votaw, Beverly Paris, Milt Thomas and Maria Kovachev. City Council members include Sabe Abell, Mayor Tom White, Debra Fromang, Ken Daige and Bill Fish.  The Hibiscus Plants in the foreground, courtesy of Everything Outdoors, were delivered as a special thanks to the City for their participation.

HIBISCUS FESTIVAL SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Sponsorship Advertising Rewards • Sponsorship Application & Information (Large File) • New! Best of Car Show Sponsorships Information Meet Our Sponsors FESTIVAL SPONSORS CITY OF VERO BEACH Presenting Sponsor New Car Show Evening Band Sponsor Art Festival Tom Collins Insurance Agency, Inc. Daytime Music/Buskers Children's Activities Miss Hibiscus Pageant 5K Run Media Sponsors General Undewriting Sponsors

2009 Hibiscus Festival Committee

 

The 2009 Hibiscus Festival will be held in historic downtown Vero Beach on Saturday, April 18 and is jointly sponsored by Main Street Vero Beach, Vero Heritage Inc. and The Indian River County Historical Society. 

The Festival continues to grow and this year has extended both hours and street locations.  The Festival will now cover 14th Avenue between 21st and 23rd Streets and hours will be from 9 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.  Exhibitor booths will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. after which the party shifts to the 14th Avenue Downtown Friday block for the evening street party.

Event chairs and their hard-working committee members began planning the 2009 Hibiscus Festival before last year’s successful Festival was even over and have been busily working on it ever since.  Festival chairman Milt Thomas of Main Street Vero Beach is supported by numerous sub-committee chairs. 

As the first Miss Hibiscus Queen, Elizabeth Graves-Bass is imminently suited to be the Hibiscus Queen Pageant chairwoman with assistance from Cathie Callery.  She and her committee will introduce a lovely group of young ladies on Friday, April 17 at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Center who will vie for the title of 2009 Hibiscus Queen.

Running at the head of the pack is Laura Torres and Shira Johnson co-chairs of the annual 5K Run. The race beings at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 18 at the Vero Beach Municipal Airport and leads runners through the streets of historic Downtown Vero Beach.  Sherri Brower and the Vero Beach Amateur Radio Club will be reporting runner progress throughout the race.

The public is invited to join runners immediately following the race for the Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast, chaired by Bill Fish. The delicious breakfast, which costs only $4 for adults and $2.00 for kids, will be served on the south lawn of the Heritage Center from 7:30 – 10:00 a.m.  New this year is a yummy pancake topping buffet table for an additional $1.00 per person

Susan Viviano chairs the Hibiscus Marketplace along with Alice Conkey and featuring merchandise vendors, community and non-profit booths.  They will be bustling from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 in historic downtown Vero Beach .

Shell Greenier and Lisa Talbott are scheduling plenty of activities for children.  Plans are in the works for a magician extraordinaire and talented children’s folk singer Mrs. Kate, bounce-houses, a face-painter, and more throughout the day. 

Beverly Tyson and Robert Temple of the Indian River County Historical Society are co-chairing the Historical Exhibits committee and have arranged for numerous organizations to give visitors a glimpse of Indian River County ’s past, present and future. Learn about the Seminole Indians and watch as their crafters demonstrate their unique craft skills and visit with some special “old timers” who will be on hand. Back by popular demand, the Indian River Coin Club will showcase antique coins. 

The entertainment is bountiful this year thanks to coordinator Marty Paris and sponsor Marine Bank who have arranged to have street musicians and bands throughout the festival hours and continuing into the after party until 8:30 p.m.  Andy Lawrence and Daniel Fourmont are coordinating the Salute to Youth performances by the Rotary Club that begin at 10 a.m. in front of the Community Center.

Darlene Forage is coordinating with Dillard’s Department Store to present a brand new Hibiscus Festival Spring Fashion Show inside the Heritage Center from 1:00 p.m. Models representing fifteen different local non-profit organizations will be featured in the show.

And you won’t want to miss a very special 1960’s Hibiscus Festival Party from 5:30-8:30 p.m. , underwritten by Bill Bryant and Associates and chaired by Marine Bank’s Georgia Irish. Beatles Remembered, a fabulous Beatles Tribute and British Invasion Band will take you back to the era of love beads and flowers. 

The Farmers Market returns bigger and better then ever before, thanks to Carl Fetzer, Dan Kross and Maria Kovachev.  Visit them by the Vero Beach Community Center for fresh goodies from the garden.

Antique Autos will abound thanks to Lee Orr.  Look for them at a new spot in the parking lot next to the Hibiscus Building

Behind the scene chair people without whom a festival of this magnitude couldn’t function include:  Beverly Paris (Publicity and Assistant Chair), Mary Schenkel (Publicity and promotional supplies)Maria Lewicka (signage and logistics), Tricia Jenkins and Betty Armistead (sponsorships), Sharon Morgan (Website, Art Show and Poster Contest), Alice Gaskill(food, drink and tokens), Spencer Porteus (Flowers and Plant sale), Robert Votaw (logistics), J. Scott Kelly (Photography)  and Valerie Flanigan(Volunteers). 

Interested in volunteering in any capacity?  Call Milt Thomas at 567-2897.