Heritage Festival is on for November

The Seminole Herald; Sanford, Fla.; Aug. 26, 2001; Michelle Jerla, Managing Editor; Copyright 2001

SANFORD – It’s 4-years-old and growing.

The fourth annual Sanford Heritage Festival will return to the downtown area in November.  This year’s celebration will include activities and events familiar to past festival-goers and also new attractions and performances, including the first Sanford Heritage Festival Regatta.

This year’s festival is being produced Sanford Heritage Festival Inc. – a recently established corporation of local community leaders - in cooperation with the city of Sanford, Sanford Main Street, Helen Staris Theatre and the Sanford/Seminole County Chamber of Commerce.

“There was a community organization in the city that saw the value of the festival as a signature event in the community,” Heritage Festival Event Consultant Ron Rose said. “They see the festival as having an impact on community development, which, in turn, has an impact on economic development.”

Highlighting this year’s festival is country singer Mark Wills, who made the country charts in 1996 with the song “Jacob’s Ladder.” Other No.1 hits by the reigning ACM Top New Male Vocalist include “I Do (Cherish You),” “Don’t Laugh At Me,” and “Wish You Were Here.”  Wills will perform two live concerts at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday, Nov 9.

New this year will be the Heritage Festival Regatta, a one-day event held on the shores of Lake Monroe.  According to Mitty Events – the group organizing the event – the sport of rowing, once exclusive to the northeast, has exploded in the south, particularly in Florida. Currently, there are more than 30 high schools and 15 college programs in the state.

“There are a lot of teams in our area, but there are not many events to participate in,” Said Regatta Coordinator Dan Kempinger.  “The Heritage Festival was perfect timing for us, and the waterfront is a great location.

According Kempinger, the Regatta will attract more than 1,500 competitors from across the southeast who will compete at the high school, college and master levels.  Additionally, the Regatta Village is expected to attract more than 2,000 spectators.

The Regatta will be held on Saturday, Nov 10, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We are going to make sure there are boasts available for people to look at,” Kempinger said. “Crew is not a sport everybody has access to.”

Other events and entertainment for this year’s festival include antique and craft booths, food vendors, a midway and rides and various other exhibits.  Also returning to the street celebration is the Bahamian Marketplace, with included the Caribbean celebration, Junkanoo, Bahamian music and a variety of Bahamian delicacies like conch fritters and fruit daiquiris.

With the addition of the regatta and other events, Rose said this year’s event should attract more than 25,000 people.  In the past, the Sanford Heritage Festival has been recognized as one of Central Florida’s largest waterfront street party and musical events.

“This year, there will be a new layout to promote the waterfront and make it more convenient for the downtown merchants,” Rose said. “And, city officials see the festival as a way to promote the waterfront and the future Riverwalk.”

Sponsorship opportunities are still available.  If a business or company would like to help sponsor the event or for a vendor application, contact Rose at 407-321-8111.