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

Hibiscus Festival Holds First Meeting for 2009 Event

Milt Thomas, Chairman of the annual Hibiscus Festival has announced that the Hibiscus Festival committee will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, October 7 at 4 p.m. 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 .

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.

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 live entertainment is also held. 

The committee is open to new members 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.

The committee’s newest member is Tricia Jenkins, CFRE, a fundraising consultant and owner of Tricia Jenkins & Associates (TJ&A). She helps non-profits raise money by providing them with cost-effective fundraising tools and strategies. Ms. Jenkins is working with a new Festival Sponsorship Opportunity Package offering a wide spectrum of Platinum, Silver, Gold and Bronze sponsorships.  Prospective sponsors may contact Ms. Jenkins at 772-801-3410 or email to tricia@fearlessfundraising.com.

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 Maria Korvahev at 772-480-8353 or email maria@mainstreetverobeach.org, or visit www.mainstreetverobeach.org.  Meetings will begin in September.  New committee members are welcome.

DOWNLOAD OUR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FLYER and THE SPONSORSHIP APPLICATION FOR the 2009 HIBISCUS FESTIVAL

About Our 2008 Hibiscus Festival

History

The Hibiscus Festival began in 1953 and lasted 10 years.  In 2004, Main Street Vero Beach, Vero Heritage, Inc. and The Indian River County Historical Society brought it back to life!  These three non-profit organizations are the Sponsors of the Hibiscus Festival.

Miss Hibiscus Pageant

The weekend launches with the popular Miss Hibiscus Pageant on Friday evening at the Heritage Center. Indian River County girls between the ages of 16 and 21 years old will vie for the coveted crown and a host of prizes and will preside over the Festival the next day. Everyone is invited to come and cheer on their favorite candidates!

Festival Activities & Hours

• 7:00 a.m.-5K Race
• 7:30 a.m.- 10 a.m.- Don Smith Memorial Pancake Breakfast
• 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Festival Hours - Featuring community booths, arts & crafts, fine art exhibit, food court, 9 live bands, historical exhibits, antique appraisals & exhibit, antique car exhibit, Salute to Youth Perfomances, childrens play area.
• 3:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Community Street Party - 3 live bands, food (snacks or dinner), beer and wine.

Hibiscus Festival Committee

The Hibiscus Festival Committee is responsible for coordinating and planning all the events. If you would like to volunteer and join the committee for 2009, contact Milt Thomas (Chairman) or Beverly Paris (Vice Chairman). The committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month, at 4:00 p.m. at the Heritage Center, located on 14th Avenue in Downtown Vero Beach.

Vendor Information

A popular aspect of the Hibiscus Festival is the Hibiscus Marketplace located along 14th Avenue, between 21st and 23rd Streets in historic downtown Vero Beach.  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 participate.

As in past years, we thoroughly welcome artists and craft vendors to participate.  Last year approximately 4,000 visitors attended the Festival.  It was a glorious and successful day!  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 rental of a 10 ft by 10 ft. space is $35 per non-profit organizations and $50 for other vendors.

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 artists or craft vendors may sell food, beverage, floral or plant items.  No soliciting will be permitted beyond any vendor’s booth space.  Booth assignments are given on a first come first served basis. 

Musical Performers

The Hibiscus Festival hired 12 musical acts for the 2008 Festival. Live Music is performed continuously throughout the day at three locations around the festival and three bands perform at the nightime street party immediately following. We hire solo performers, duos and full bands. We also support the sales efforts of CD's and the use of tip jars. Check back soon for band submission information.

Sponsorship

As everyone knows, no event is possible without the generosity of sponsor donations from area individuals and businesses.  The 2008 Hibiscus Festival is no different. The Festival will be held on April 18th and 19th in historic downtown Vero Beach. The beneficiaries of the Festival are Main Street Vero Beach, Vero Heritage, Inc. and the Indian River County Historical Society. 

The 2008 Hibiscus Festival committee is proud to announce that The City of Vero Beach was the Presenting Sponsor of this event. Marine Bank & Trust, as well as the City were both Platinum sponsors.  Silver Sponsors included Citrus Bank, Hale Groves, National City Bank, the Richardson Family Foundation, Sam’s Club and Sun AG. Bronze sponsors included Hickey, Collins & Beach Chartered, Horizons Nursery, Runner’s Depot and Vero Beach Mitsubishi/Volvo. In-kind sponsors were ABC Printing/Coastal Graphics, City of Vero Beach, Everything Outdoors, Minuteman Press, Mr. Ron Rennick and Schumann Printing.  Media sponsors were Press Journal, Treasure & Space Coast Radio, Talking Phone Book and Vero Life.

The Hibiscus Festival committee and beneficiaries wish to extend thanks to all contributors.