Warnings of a high chance of rain were not enough to put a damper on the festivities of Springtime Tallahassee Festival this past weekend.
Pam Fendrick, general chairman for Springtime Tallahassee, said that this is one of the largest events to take place in the southeastern region. Fendrick said that this is an event that is not only put on by volunteers but also gives back to the community.
“This annual event brings in over 200,000 people each year,” said Fendrick. “People travel from all over the state to enjoy this community event that is put on by volunteers.”
The 44th annual Springtime Tallahassee festival themed “Up, Up and Away” was a two-day community event filled with good times.
The annual Grand Parade took place on Saturday morning. Beads, candy, sunglasses and other giveaways were thrown into the large crowds. Marching bands, cheerleaders, dance teams and even mermaids were participants in the parade.
While the festival is a time for families to enjoy themselves with fun, food and shopping, it is also a time when a lot of revenue is brought in not only for vendors but Tallahassee.
“The event definitely helps fill our hotel rooms,” said Director of Sales at Aloft Terry Daniel. “We are sold out of rooms from this two-day event.”
There was no doubt that it was springtime at the parade with all the different color floats that rode through downtown Tallahassee. Blue, red, orange, green, and yellow were some colors chosen by many of the participants. There was a variety of cultures that made appearances at the parade.
“I loved the parade,” said Tallahassee resident Daniela Galindo. “It was really nice and fun to see all the different cultures that participated.”
While Galindo was able to watch the majority of the parade, a Tallahassee mother of four, Candice Andrews, was only able to catch the end but was glad that she did. She regrets for coming late but plans to be on time next year, so she will not miss anything.
“We got here towards the end of the parade,” said Andrews. “However, it was really entertaining and nice to see, guess we will have to be on time next year.”
While many like Andrews attended the festival to specifically attend the parade others, like Joyce McElroy, wanted to experience the music, food, shopping, as well as the arts and crafts.
“We enjoy looking at all of the vendors and the different crafts,” said McElroy. However, she proclaimed that the most important element for her was listening to the live music. This is McElroy’s third year attending the festival and she just can’t get enough.
While this was an event for family and friends to have a good time, it was also a time for vendors to showcase their businesses.
“I like this event because it brings in a good crowd and is also a great way to meet new people,” said Haute Art owner Kim Campbell who has attended the event for five years.