April 4-5, 2025
Source: TDC Staff
Mark your calendars to join us for the official bicentennial kickoff celebration at the Vernon Heritage Festival, which will be held Friday, April 4th, and Saturday, April 5th, in Downtown Vernon.
Friday night will be Family Fun Night at Shady Grove Park from 5-8 pm with free cotton candy and popcorn, a free bounce house, games, a performance from the Vernon Drumline, live music entertainment, great food and a history display for the Shady Grove Elementary School that once stood on the park property.
Saturday will kick off with the Bicentennial Parade through Downtown Vernon at 10 a.m.
From 10-3pm we will have living history demonstrators, a makers, bakers, and grower market, live music, great food, children's activities and history exhibits at the below locations.
Holmes Creek Canoe Livery
Creek Indian and Frontier Militia Encampments including musket firing and tomahawk throwing demonstrations
Four Oceans Mission serving pulled pork plates
Vernon Town Square
Blacksmith Tent by Buffalo Ridge Forge
Civil War era camp, cannon firing drill demonstrations, and the Vernon Home Guard by North Florida Artillery
Open Fire Cooking Demonstration by Pemberley Farm
Vernon Public Library
Old Fashioned Butter Churning with the Kids
The History of Ole Saint Nicholas by Sand Hills Santa
Vernon Elementary School Heritage Art Display
Historic Boat Building Activity with Library Staff
History of Shady Grove Elementary School Display
Vernon City Hall
Makers, Bakers, & Growers Market
Live Music - Curtis Williams performs 11-12pm
Native American Heritage Books & Items
Book Signing by Mary Cathrin May, author of "Vernon, the Heart of Old Washington County, Florida"
Archaeological Display of Holms Town Dig by TG Earnest & Associates
