Several cultural events are held along the William Bartram Scenic Historic Highway (WBSH) beginning with the Florida Scenic Highway dedication ceremony held in 2006. The William Bartram Scenic & Historic Highway Corridor Management Council (CMC) holds their Bartram Bash annually in the Spring (April) of every year, as illustrated in some of the photo galleries below. This event is typically held at Alpine Grove Park. This is a family event which includes music, lunch and sometimes dinner, educational displays, wildflower displays and the famous buterfly release.
Since 2009, two additional events are held at Alpine Groves Park, one in the spring and one in the fall. The Stetson Kennedy Foundation holds the Southern Exposure Music and Heritage Festival in the Spring of every year. For more information on this event, please go to the Stetson Kennedy Foundation web site. A link to this web site is listed in the link section of this web site. Another enjoyable event is “Paint the Region” which is a week long event held in the fall (October). Many artist throughout the state of Florida participate in this event. Citizens and travelers alike, can watch artist paint scenes at various locations throughout northeast Florida. The first year (2009) of this event, “Paint the Region” was held along the William Bartram Scenic & Historic Highway, as illustrated in some of the photo galleries below. The location of “Paint the Region” varies from year to year, so if you are interested in this event please go to “Paint the Region” web site. A link to this web site is listed in the link section of this web site.
In 2010 “the Old Settlers Reunion”, began and this event is held in the fall (October or November). Chlidren, adults and travelers alike can enjoy this family event. Some of the major activities at this event inclide children’s games, period educational interpretative displays, period dressing and reenactors, whisker growing contest, folk and country music activities. Come and enjoy this family event out at Alpine Groves Park.
Please refer to the William Bartam calender of events for the specific locations, dates and times for all these events and more.
2006 – William Bartram Scenic & Historic Highway Dedication Ceremony
2007 – William Bartram Bash
2008 – William Bartram Bash
2009 – William Bartram Bash
2009 – Paint the Region
2010 – Old Settlers Reunion
2011 – Stetson Kennedy Memorial – Special Event
Stetson Kennedy’s life long work, dedication to human rights and justice, preservation and stewardship of nature was honored on October 1, 2011 at his Beluthahatchee estate through his life long friends and professional associates. This memorial service program began with songs revealing Stetson Kennedy’s life work. The songs that were song included, “Stetson Kennedy” played by the Blackwells; “Beluthahatchee Bill” played by Alvah Allen and “Stetson Kennedy” played by Frank Thomas. The service continued with speakers who paid tribute to Stetson Kennedy’s life. The speakers included Dr. Ben Brotemarkle, President, Florida Histocial Society; Dr. Peggy Bulger, Library of Congress; Pete Gallagher winner of the Stetson Kennedy Foundation award and the memorial service continued with remembrances from other friends and family members, including Erick Dittus, Loren Kennedy and Sand Parks to name just a few.
2011 – WBSH Oral History Party – Special Event
The William Bartram Scenic & Historic Highway (WBSH) Corridor Management Council (CMC) members held a special Oral History party honoring the thirty four (34) oral history participants who shared their life long stories of living along the scenic highway over the past fifty (50) years.
2011 Old Settler Reunion
2012 Rivertown – Riverfront Park Dedication Ceremony
2012 Tree Planting
2012 Bartram Bash
