Monday, November 3, 2014

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 90th anniversary since the first Florida Citrus Queen pageant and the 85th 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 8th. 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

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