15TH KINGSLEY HERITAGE CELEBRATION
The public is invited to join us for the annual Kingsley Heritage Celebration the 3rd, and 4th Saturdays in February for special afternoon events. Sponsored by the National Park Service, the Kingsley Heritage Celebration is an annual event that is free and open to the public. The Timucuan Preserve is approaching an important milestone. The Preserve was established on February 16, 1988 with the goal of protecting the critical wetlands and cultural legacy of Northeast Florida. In 2013, we celebrate 25 years of connecting people to this rich landscape. This special occasion coincides with another of the parks most loved traditions, the Kingsley Heritage Celebration. To mark these events the National Park Service invites the public to the 15th Annual Kingsley Heritage Celebration the last two Saturdays in February.
Saturday, February 16: 1:30 p.m. -R.S.V.P., the Ritz Sound and Vocal Performers bring together youth ages 12-18 to discover the power of singing learning and playing music together. Through concerts and frequent community performances, the Ritz Sound and Vocal Performers serve as ambassadors for the Ritz Theatre and Museum and the City of Jacksonville, using voice and music as a tool for youth development, social healing and community building.
2:30 p.m.- Gullah Storyteller Elder Carolyn "Jabulile" White- Ms. White is a grass-roots, Gullah storyteller and historian. Born and raised on the sea islands of Charleston, South Carolina, she learned the art of storytelling from her parents and grandparents. "Jabulile" thought it only natural that she should share these stories not only with the people in her community, but the world. She speaks fluent Gullah, an island dialect, when telling her stories. She tells her stories with humor, giving the audience a true insight and understanding of the customs and culture of the Gullah People.
Kids Corner: Throughout the day, park staff will present children's activities celebrating the anniversary.Get your photo taken with a Ranger, and decorate a frame to show it off. Make a nature rubbing, decorate a rag doll or participate in one of the Ranger guided kid's games.
Saturday, February 23: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. - Fort George Island, home to Kingsley Plantation holds a long a varied history. On February 23rd visitors get a chance to explore that history as the timeline of Ft. George Island comes to life. Living history demonstrations scattered throughout the 1,000 acre island will portray milestones from the past. From the Timucuan Indians, through the flappers of the roaring twenties and everyone in between, this event promises something for one and all. Park rangers and volunteers in period costumes will demonstrate various tasks involved in the operation of a large plantation. Demonstrations will include cooking, spinning, weaving, dyeing with indigo, and gardening. The Timucuan Preserve has partnered with the Fort George Cultural State Park and the Historic Fort St. George Episcopal Church to bring this event to the public.
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