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GeorgeFest is held annually in the last weekend of February in the city of
From a simple one-day parade of Ford Model Ts to an event that attracts thousands of visitors every year, the Eustis GeorgeFest has increased in both size and scope. While it continues to grow, the primary theme of the festivities has never changed. GeorgeFest is a patriotic event held in honor of America's Founding Father,
GeorgeFest is held annually in the last weekend of February in the city of Eustis, Florida
Eustis is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 23,189 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area. Eustis High School is the town's local public high sc ...
, to honor Founding Father
The following list of national founding figures is a record, by country, of people who were credited with establishing a state. National founders are typically those who played an influential role in setting up the systems of governance, (i.e. ...
George Washington
George Washington (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of ...
. With consecutive events, the Eustis GeorgeFest is the longest ongoing festival of its kind in the United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
. The event is sponsored by small donors as well as the Lake Eustis Chamber of Commerce and the City of Eustis.
On February 21, 2015 Eustis hosted its first annual GeorgeFest 5k.
The many activities of the festival include outdoor dining, singing and music, fireworks, carnival rides, a float parade and an annual 5 km (3.1 mile) run.
History
From a simple one-day parade of Ford Model Ts to an event that attracts thousands of visitors every year, the Eustis GeorgeFest has increased in both size and scope. While it continues to grow, the primary theme of the festivities has never changed. GeorgeFest is a patriotic event held in honor of America's Founding Father, George Washington
George Washington (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of ...
.
In 1876, the Ocklawaha House was built as a hotel to serve the many tradesman traveling through the area. GeorgeFest's modest beginnings can be traced back to this building which still stands today as the oldest remaining hotel in the area. In 1902 construction began to enlarge the hotel. On February 22, 1902, while the hotel was under construction, the residents of Eustis held a holiday in honor of Washington and in celebration of Florida's early heritage. The event would continue to be held once a year on February 22 in honor of George Washington's birthday. However, the festivities were later spread out over several weeks and were eventually assigned to the last weekend of February where they remain today.
In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Eustis was able to continue hosting the annual Georgefest event. In doing so, the Eustis event passed Laredo, Texas' " Washington Birthday Celebration" as the longest running celebration of George Washington’s Birthday in the United States, following that event's cancellation in 2021.
References
{{coord missing, Florida Annual events in Florida 1902 establishments in Florida Recurring events established in 1902 Eustis, Florida Monuments and memorials to George Washington in the United States