The Florida Folk Festival has been cancelled for the second time in the event’s 55 year history. Last week, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) canceled the event because of concerns for visitors’ safety caused by the Bugaboo Wildfire. The leading edge of the fire was located in Columbia County approximately 15 miles from Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs.

The Folk Festival was also canceled in 1973, when the Suwannee River reached its highest recorded levels. That event was rescheduled for Labor Day weekend. The Florida Park Service is reviewing the logistics involved in rescheduling this year’s event, according to Florida State Park Director Mike Bullock.

“Inviting an additional 10,000 people per day into a high-risk area would not only potentially endanger visitors and performers, but put a strain on the community’s emergency response system as well as its natural resources,” Bullock said.

The Folk Festival usually depends on partner agencies from state, county and local cities and towns to assist in providing public safety measures. However, those agencies have been providing support to wildfire response efforts.

Traffic on major roads, including I-75 and I-10, has been periodically re-routed to local roads because of thick smoke. More than 20,000 visitors for the Folk Festival would have placed an additional burden on the highway system.

Approximately two weeks ago, Park Manager Ben Faure, Assistant Park Manager Sandy Cashes and Events Coordiantor Elaine McGrath, met with DEP officials to discuss the effect of the smoke and fire on the park and the festival. At that time the fire was not contained and was located east of US 441, moving west towards Hamilton County. The forecast predicted easterly winds, which would cause heavy smoke in the White Springs area as well as increase the threat of the fire spreading into the county.

Faure then met with White Springs Mayor Joseph McKire and Town Manager Robert Townsend to inform them of the outlook for the next few days.

On Thursday, May 17, Bullock and Regional State Park Director Don Forgione attended a Town Meeting at South Hamilton Elementary School in White Springs to listen to the concerns of the citizens about the Folk Festival.

On Friday, May 18, DEP announced the Folk Festival would be canceled because of the uncertainty about the wildfire and the air quality conditions in the area. The park was closed on May 19 until further notice.

Townsend said he appreciated the park officials’ concern about the impact that 20,000 additional people would have on the process if the town had to evacuate.

“The Town regrets the cancellation of the festival,” he said, “but we support their decision. It was based on the facts they had at the time, which was that conditions were very serious. They were concerned about the public’s safety and welfare. They also considered the strain on local resources – fire, law enforcement, medical – in worst case scenario.”

The cancellation of the festival will have a significant impact on the economy of the town.

“This will affect everyone from local churches who sell food at the festival, to local bed and breakfasts, even the local hardware store,” Townsend said.

According to Katie Flanagan, Information Director, Florida Division of Recreation and Parks, the Folk Festival has a total direct economic impact of more than $900,000 and increases state sales tax revenue by more than $68,000.

For more information about Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.