Hibiscus Festival Antique Car Show
Want an up close and personal look at the wonderful cars of yesteryear? The Indian River Region Antique Automobile Club of America will have some stunning vintage cars and trucks on display at the Hibiscus Festival. This expanded free exhibit will be in a new location on the north end of 14th Avenue in the parking lot beside the Hibiscus Building. Owners will be on hand to answer any questions you may have and to discuss the history of their superb antique autos. These special antique automobiles are sure to delight both children and adults!
Hibiscus Festival Fine Art Show
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, will be held in historic downtown Vero Beach on Saturday, April 18, 2009.
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 the 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 Downtown Friday block for the 60’s Hibiscus Festival Street Party.
For the first year, a Juried Fine Art Show, in conjunction with the Cultural Council of Indian River County and sponsored by Tom Collins Insurance, will be situated on the southern most grounds of the Heritage Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Artists will display original work, prints, note cards and other small items for sale. Close by, in the shade under the Oak trees, tables and chairs will be available for eating lunch selections from a wide array of food vendors. On the patio of the Heritage Center, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and continuing until 4 p.m., music lovers will enjoy live jazz, classic folk and popular songs will waft through the air.
Some exhibiting artists will be joining this premier show including Highwaymen Isaac Knight and Freddie Gibson, painters Lee Gorman Smith, Sue Johnson, Debbie Johnson and artists from Gallery 14; Mixed Media & Sculptors, Mary Ellen Koser, Victoria Geller, Raymond Decker and Joel Beaird as well as photographer Bob Barbour.
Mural artist, Barbara Sharp, has had a long-time passion for painting monkeys and chimpanzees as the feature of her murals and then by chance several years ago, she became acquainted with Save the Chimps. Together they have formulated an artistic union. This union will be demonstrated as a feature of the show.
The mission of Save the Chimps is to provide a permanent sanctuary for the lifelong care of chimpanzees rescued from research laboratories, entertainment and the pet trade. Thanks to a generous donation in 2000 by the Arcus Foundation, Save the Chimps was able to purchase 200 acres for a permanent sanctuary in Ft. Pierce, where rescued chimpanzees can live out their lives without the threat of ever returning to a laboratory.
These former lab chimpanzees now live as a social group.
Chimpanzees have many of the same interests and talents human do. One such talent is painting and artistic expression. At Save the Chimps, the chimpanzees are provided with a variety of canvases and paints. For many chimps painting is a favorite activity and their artwork is unique and truly amazing. During the Fine Art Show, Barbara will feature acrylics of whimsical chimps, chimps in their natural habitat and of chimps creating works of art themselves. Save the Chimps will offer abstracts painted by their Chimps, information and a video of the organization.
Inquires relating to the Hibiscus Festival Fine Art Show can be made to Chairman Sharon Morgan by emailing her at artsymorgan@yahoo.com.
2009 Hibiscus Festival Children's Activities
The 2009 Hibiscus Festival will be held in historic downtown Vero Beach on Saturday, April 18. The event is 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 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 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. with endless entertainment and activities after which the party shifts to the 14th Avenue Downtown Friday block for a special 60's Party featuring a Beatles Tribute Band.
A Children's Activity Area, sponsored by the George E. Warren Corporation, will be located on 22nd Avenue , between the Courthouse Executive Center and the Hibiscus Building. For a nominal $5 entrance fee, children will have access to their own special world of entertainment! Activities include three age appropriate bounce houses, sand art, cotton candy and face painting with Raggedy Ann of Masquerade Expressions(from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Family entertainment for the young and the young at heart will be presented just outside the Children's Activity Area, in front of the Courthouse Executive Center . Magician extraordinaire Jamie Porter returns to the Hibiscus Festival with two shows; one at 10:30 a.m. and the second show at 12:00 noon . Keep your eye on Jamie or he will turn his razzle-dazzle tricks into your asking, "How did he ever do that?" Mrs. Kate will delight family audiences with her entertaining folk music for two shows at 2:15 and the second at 3:15 p.m. from the same location in front of the Courthouse Executive Center. Mrs Kate's fun-filled shows of wholesome family entertainment will have you singing along with her before you can say, "Hug-a-Bug-a-Boo." Come one, come all - you won't want to miss these amazing free shows!
2009 Hibiscus Festival Historical Exhibit
The Historical Society will utilize the entire main hall of the Community Center, turning it into Heritage Hall allowing visitors to step back in time. Listen to the sounds of the Gifford Youth String Orchestra at 11 a.m. as you take a historical tour of Indian River County through the use of artifacts, photographs and memorabilia related to the growth of our community. Meet historical figures including E. Nelson Fell, Founder of Fellsmere (who will play piano throughout the day), and Jonathan Dickinson, who will give a historic presentation at 10:00 a.m. and will later interact with visitors.
Many items of historical significance, including some wonderful photos relating to past Hibiscus Festival Queens will be displayed, along with documents, maps and displays of early Indian River County . Representatives from the Indian River County Historical Society, Sebastian Historical Society, Pioneer Preservation of Fellsmere, Historic Macedonia Church and the Audubon Society will exhibit photo history and maps a
s well as being available to answer questions.
Visit with some special "old timers" who will be on hand for an oral history, sitting on rocking chairs on "Our Old Front Porch." Learn about the Seminole Indians and watch as their crafters demonstrate their unique craft skills. Items crafted by the Seminoles will be available for sale. Did you know that Vero Beach once had its own money? Stop over to the Indian River Coin Club's display where you will see coins and money from yesteryear.
Just across the Street, next to the Hibiscus Building, the Indian River Region Antique Automobile Club of America will have a wonderful display of well-preserved antique autos in the parking lot of the Hibiscus Building .
Don't forget to also visit the Indian River Citrus Museum located in the Heritage Center . The Citrus Museum tells the story of the pioneers who established the most recognized citrus fruit in the world! The historic Vero Beach Train Station, north from the Community Center, will also be open during festival hours to show off their miniature train display which toots through a replica of the county's historical buildings.
Your whole family will enjoy this entertaining and educational tour of our wonderful community. For more information call Beverly Tyson, Indian River County Historical Society at (772) 778-3435
Guild on the Go to Perform at Hibiscus Festival
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, will be held in historic downtown Vero Beach on Saturday, April 18th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Historical Society will utilize the entire main hall of the Community Center, turning it into Heritage Hall, allowing visitors to step back in time. Exhibits will offer a historical tour through Indian River County through the use of artifacts, photographs and memorabilia related to the growth of our community while historical figures will be on hand with presentations. Listen to the sounds of the Gifford Youth String Orchestra at 11 a.m. while you learn about the Seminole Indians and watch as their crafters demonstrate their unique craft skills or stop over to the Indian River Coin Club’s display where you will see coins and money from yesteryear.
The highlight at the Community Center will no doubt be the hour long performance presented by The Vero Beach Theatre Guild’s Guild on the Go as they entertain from the stage from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Vero Beach Theatre Guild, the oldest, on-going community theatre on the Treasure Coast, will feature Guild on the Go performers who include John Toohey, Caitlin Harris, Greg Harris, Nancy Stroop and others like Leigh Seirafi who brilliantly played Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. Other familiar musical numbers included in the varied program are the Almost Andrews Sisters; Carolyn Toohey; June Koklys and Jane Whitaker singing the classic ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ and others reminiscent of the popular 1940’s trio, The Andrews Sisters, Patty, LaVerne and Maxene. The Guild on the Go’s performance will be uplifting, fun, and fully costumed...a relaxing respite from the busy Festival events.
60's Hibiscus Festival Street Party
(See our Street Party Ad)
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 will culminate with an extra special street party Saturday, April 18 from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bill Bryant and Associates is the sponsoring the entertainment which features an amazing Beatles Tribute Band!
When the daytime festival ends at 5:00 p.m. the 60's party will be nearly ready to begin. The John Quinlivan Band, sponsored by Marine Bank, will be the warm up playing from 4:00-5:30 p.m. from the center of 21st Street and 14th Avenue. The 4-man energetic John Quinlivan Band (JQB) is a Blues based rock and roll group that is musically exceptional but more importantly, entertaining and fun to watch. You will enjoy the wide variety of blues, rock and roll, country, R&B, funk and jazz selections that are always danceable and fun. All together JQB will take the listener to tributes to the Beatles, The Doors, The Blues Greats, James Brown, Johnny Cash, Stevie Ray, Eric Clapton, Cream, Led Zeppelin, The Almond Brothers, Marshall Tucker and many, many more. An auxiliary beer garden will be open at this time.
The 60's Hibiscus Festival Street Party, decorated to celebrate the era of flower power, is designed as an extension of the day-long street festival, just one block south in the familiar Downtown Friday block on 14th Avenue. The crowning glory for the evening will be "Beatles Remembered," a 1960's Beatles Tribute and British Invasion Band that will grace the new City stage from 5:30-8:30 p.m. "Beatles Remembered" was an instant hit when they performed at the Vero Beach Museum of Art's Summer Concert, playing hits from the Beatles and other well known "British Invasion" bands. The 60's Hibiscus Festival Street Party, chaired by Marine Bank's Georgia Irish, will be an evening of non-stop dancing, singing, 60's attire and more!
Come dressed to the theme, let your hair down and have a ball! In addition to food and your favorite beverages, the party block will be adorned with flowers, beads, incense, Beatles memorabilia and all types of 60's paraphernalia, sure to transport you on a walk down memory lane! A wide variety of food and a fully stocked Beer Garden will be offered and decorated tables will abound throughout the block for comfort of eating and drinking. The planning committee is asking for a small admission donation of $2 to help defray all the costs associated with bringing this amazing event to the Indian River County community.
All the musicians of Beatles Remembered live in Fort Lauderdale . Self-taught on their instruments, they also all sing. Together, they bring a variety of talent from their different experiences.
*Brad Scott, who plays drums and a Hammond B3 organ, was born in California and raised in Boston . But he's played all over the world, starting as a drummer with Herb Reed and the Platters, Epcot's British Invasion, Roger McGuinn, Mike Pinera from Blues Image and John Stewart's Legends in Concert.
* Reggie Fecteau, originally from Canada , plays drums, bass, guitar and keyboards. He's toured the world with Yesterday les Beatles and was featured on TV in a French version of "Happy Days" as well as on many radio shows. He's worked with Celine Dion, the Romantics, Julio Iglesias Jr., Patty Loveless, Leana Lovich, Nina Hagens and a number of French-Canadian artists.
* John Tillman, on guitar and bass, has played in South Florida for many years, performing with Gary U.S. Bonds, the Dixie Cups, Bobby Lewis, the Shirelles, the Platters, the Coasters, the Tokens and Trisha Yearwood.
* While in college, David Langley performed R&B hits at weekend gigs. He plays bass and a banjo - yes, a banjo! In the mid-70s, he toured the U.S. with a top-40 dance/show band.
Hibiscus Festival's Hibiscus Hut
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 will culminate with an extra special 60's street party Saturday, April 18 from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bill Bryant and Associates is sponsoring the entertainment which features an amazing Beatles Tribute Band!
Sponsors and Friends of the Hibiscus Festival will have access to the Hibiscus Hut, a designated hospitality area treating Festival underwriters a place to relax from all the partying. Thanks to Bob and Sandy Brackett, the Hibiscus Hut will be the entry way to Theatre Plaza on 14th Avenue in historic downtown Vero Beach, a place sheltered from the sun and decorated for the festivities. There will be seating, free refreshments and access to private restroom facilities.
Join Bill Bryant and Associates as well as some of the other sponsors like Marine Bank, George E. Warren Corp., Tom Collins Insurance, Dyer Mazda and Chevrolet, and Florida Power & Light, to mention a few, by becoming a sponsor or a friend. Opportunities are still available by calling Tricia Jenkins at 772-801-3410 or Milt Thomas at 772-567-2897.
.jpg)
ach throughout the year.
County Historical Society
make-up artists from Dillard’s will ready the models for the runway. 
the 
present their backwoods folk music, complete with guitar and fiddle from 
f Hair Peace 
visitors from the Patio outside of the Heritage Center where the Juried Fine Art Show will be taking place. The Pancake Breakfast will be in full swing until 10 a.m. and other food vendors will be open immediately following. Grab some goodies and relax at our food court under the shade of the park’s trees while you enjoy the tunes. This grouping kicks off with One, Gary Wagner, crooning smooth jazz and mellow standards made popular by some of the greats including 
return to us downtown. Capping off this site will be the 
(JQB) is a Blues based rock and roll group that is musically exceptional but more importantly, entertaining and fun to watch. An auxiliary beer garden will be open at this time.
