Have a Very Merry Citrus Christmas!

                For many, nothing says, “Merry Christmas” more than finding their favorite fruit in their stocking on Christmas morning. These citrus Christmas presents were thanks to the Florida gift fruit industry, which made sure Florida citrus was available everywhere for the holidays.

                Gift fruit packages were very popular Christmas presents, including jellies, nuts, candies, and most importantly, citrus fruits.¹ Thanks to shippers like the Florida Gift Fruit Shippers Association (FGFSA), these packages were sent to homes all across the United States.² The gift fruit business did so well that it continued to grow over the years. In 1961, more than one million gift fruit packages were shipped.³ By 1993, gift fruit shippers were filling and shipping over 3 million orders.⁴ As the tradition grew more popular, the Florida gift fruit industry grew as well, shipping as far as Canada and Europe.⁵

Courtesy Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Collection

 and Florida Citrus Archives, Florida Southern College

However, it was particularly important to be able to ship up north since, due to the cold of winter, December was not an abundant time for fruit outside of the south. Even shippers worried when they transported the gift packages. Former FGFSA executive vice president, Joseph E. Ball, expressed his worries with transporting gift packages in Christmas of 1991 when he said, “Trains had insulated cars…but they weren’t heated, so fruit could still freeze.”⁶

                Nevertheless, through the use of better technology, calculations for shipment in the shortest time as possible, and simply a lot of hard work, the Florida gift fruit industry continued to thrive and citrus lovers were able to get their citrus Christmas gifts regardless of where they lived.

                Perhaps I’ll ask Santa for some citrus for Christmas myself!

Written by Selys Rivera

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center

Sources:

¹ “10 Per Cent Gain in Christmas gift Fruit Business is Foreseen,” Citrus & Vegetable Magazine, December 1961, 28.

² Karen McEver, “Gift Fruit Shippers Fill Over 3 Million Orders,” Citrus Industry, December 1993, 36-7.

³ “10 Per Cent.”

⁴ McEver, “Gift Fruit Shippers Fill.”

⁵ Ibid.

⁶ Jim Fisher, “Gift Fruit Shippers Assn. Expands Terminal,” Citrus Industry, December 1991, 18-19.

Florida Citrus Celebration at Bok Tower Gardens – Follow Up

                The Florida Citrus Celebration has been a great success so far and we sure hope it will continue to be so. I was able to witness firsthand the events held on Saturday, November 8^th and I can agree that the Florida Citrus Celebration is worth seeing and the events worth attending.

                The OJ Meet and Greet with the Queens was the first event I was able to attend. There were nine Citrus Queens who attended: Brenda Eubanks Burnette, Shannon Potts Franco, Lori Schirard Grubb, Dana Morgan Hamlin, Mandy Hancock Jarrett, Lisa Maile, LaVoyce Leggett Porter, and Nikki Upthegrove Mathews. One could take pictures with these women by the Captain Citrus photo stand or simply talk with them about their citrus experiences. Afterwards, the former queens were able to chat with each other about their nostalgic days as Citrus Queens at the Citrus Queen luncheon.

                There was also the Citrus Crate Label Show and Sale that I got to see. Beautiful citrus labels stood proudly on display like intricate pieces of artwork for citrus loving visitors to enjoy. During the times when I was supposed to be watching the table and answering questions, even I found it difficult not to look at the collection of citrus labels in front of me. It was nice to know that if anyone was particularly interested, they were able to purchase some to take home.

                In addition, there were all sorts of tours to take around the gardens. One that I was interested in, but was unfortunately unable to go on, was a citrus grove tour with John Jackson, the President of the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame. I am sure it was definitely a sight to see.

                At least I was able to see the historical exhibit, “Central Florida’s Citrus Culture,” which was very interesting. It is definitely worth mentioning that the citrus display will be in place through January 3^rd, 2015. There is still time to visit Bok Tower Gardens and see the public exhibit celebrating the 90^th anniversary since the first Florida Citrus Queen pageant and the 85^th anniversary of Bok Tower Gardens.

I definitely urge anyone who is interested to seize this opportunity to see this exhibit and take part in the Florida Citrus Celebration before it is too late.

                Written by Selys Rivera

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center

Florida Citrus Celebration at Bok Tower Gardens

                  It is exciting news that the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame has teamed up with Bok Tower Gardens to create the Florida Citrus Celebration, a 3-1/2 month public exhibit celebrating the 90^th anniversary since the first Florida Citrus Queen pageant and the 85^th anniversary of Bok Tower Gardens. The historical exhibit, titled “Central Florida’s Citrus Culture,” will run from October 3, 2014 to January 15, 2015, and it will present the story of the importance of Florida’s citrus in Polk County and Bok Tower Gardens.

                  In addition to the exhibit, the week of November 3-9, 2014, called Florida Citrus Days, brings along with it several programs and events as part of the celebration. There will be all sorts of talks, tours, films, educational programs, and much more, all free to daily visitors to the gardens. The talks will range from cooking with citrus to fruit and floral arranging and the tours will be led by Florida Citrus Hall of Fame president, John Jackson. There will even be Florida citrus souvenirs available for purchase in the gift shop. There will also be a video showcasing a pictorial history of the citrus industry, titled “Barrels to Bins,” shown in the Visitor Center.

The weekend also brings additional events, such as the Citrus Crate and Label Show & Sale and the Florida Citrus Queen Reunion on November 8^th. A photo stand featuring Captain Citrus, the new Marvel comic hero of the Florida Department of Citrus, will be a popular spot for souvenir pictures commemorating the event.

                  Below, please find a schedule of the events being held:

Tuesday, November 4, 2014 – 6:00 p.m.

The History of Citrus Pioneers – Jim Ellis

Wednesday, November 5, 2014 – 6:00 p.m.

Collecting Citrus Crate Labels – Jerry Chicone, Jr., Jim Ellis

Thursday, November 6, 2014 – 6:00 p.m.

Citrus as a Tourism Marketing Vehicle – Brenda Eubanks Burnette

Saturday, November 8, 2014

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.      Citrus Crate Label Show & Sale

10:00 a.m.                             Citrus Grove Tour with John Jackson, President, Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

10:00 a.m.                             OJ Meet & Greet with the Queens

11:00 a.m.                             Backyard Citrus Growing – Greg Kramer, Magnolia Room

12:00 p.m.                             Citrus Queen Reunion & Lunch with the Industry

2:00 p.m.                                Cooking with Citrus – Jennifer Beam, Cindy Klemmer

3:00 p.m.                                Citrus Grove Tour with John Jackson, President, Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

ALL DAY                                    Barrels to Bins Video – Visitors’ Center

ALL DAY                                    Fruit & Floral Arrangements on Display

ALL DAY                                    Captain Citrus Photo Stand

Sunday, November 9, 2014

10:00 a.m.                             Citrus Grove Tour with John Jackson, President, Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

11:00 a.m.                             Backyard Citrus Growing & Greening – Greg Kramer, Magnolia Room

12:00 p.m.                             Cooking with Citrus – Jennifer Beam, Cindy Klemmer

2:00 p.m.                                Floral Arrangements with Citrus – Jennifer Beam

3:00 p.m.                                Citrus Grove Tour with John Jackson, President, Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

ALL DAY                                    Barrels to Bins Video – Visitors’ Center

ALL DAY                                    Fruit & Floral Arrangements on Display

ALL DAY                                    Captain Citrus Photo Stand

                  The Florida Citrus Celebration at Bok Tower Gardens is sure to be an excellent commemoration of the importance of the Florida citrus industry in communities, especially in Polk County and Bok Tower Garden. Please feel free to take the opportunity to join us in our celebration and attend any of the aforementioned events.

                  I know I wouldn’t want to miss it!

Written by Selys Rivera

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center