“Nothing much happens in White Springs.” If you live here, you have probably heard that said, but if you really live here, you know it simply isn’t true. Perhaps to the untrained eye of a casual visitor, White Springs may seem “sleepy”, but to those of us who live and love and care here, we know different. We also know that for those who don’t know better, the “Nothing Much” perception is one that we would like to get rid of. How do we do that? Well, partly by word of mouth. Spread the gospel, so to speak.  Here is a brief list, in no particular order, of things to do and things that happen in White Springs, some of them only in White Springs.

Hike the Florida Trail, several miles of it right along the Suwannee River.

Ride horses or bikes on the many miles of designated equestrian or bike trails in public lands around here.

Get on the Suwannee River! Canoe or kayak with your own gear or call American Canoe Adventures.

Go mud boggin’ at the Woodpecker Mud Bog. Go birding on the Florida Birding Trail. Go antiquing at the Adams Country Store or the Suwannee Hardware monthly swap meet. 

Go camping or RV’ing at Stephen Foster Park, Kelly’s RV Park or Angie’s Moonshine Acres, or if you prefer, stay at White Springs B&B.

Follow the White Springs segment of the Florida Quilt trail or attend The Suwannee River Quilt Show.

Hike to Big Shoals, a class three rapids on the Suwannee River. Canoe or kayak it if you dare!

Go to one of our many festivals or events; the Wild Azalea Festival, The Antique Tractor and Engine Show, the Florida Folk Festival, the annual Jeanie Auditions and Ball …. Opera in White Springs!

Seven Suwannee Bicycle Association events, including the Spring Peddle and Paddle, the Fat Tire Festival, and IDIDARIDE. Visit Rural Folklife Days and celebrate our living traditions. 

Be dazzled by the Christmas Festival of Lights.

Take the self-guided Walking Tour of White Springs Historic District.

Attend the annual May Day festival and celebrate our White Springs African American history, culture and traditions. 

Do you like music? Music abounds in White Springs at several of the smaller festivals, at the White Springs Folk Club concerts, and especially at the Florida Folk Festival. 

So I think you get the idea. This list contains over 40 separate “things to do” in White Springs, and it is not complete. We have come a long ways from the days when our only claim to fame was the Florida Folk Festival.

Having said that, with all there is to do in White Springs, the Florida Folk Festival has been the crown jewel on our social calendar for 62 years, and still is. A virtual treasure trove of Florida’s finest traditions, folk arts, crafts, dance, and yes, on seven different stages, music! All of it is excellent and I am particularly excited by this year’s headliner band, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, which became one of my all-time favorites when they showed their true colors, recording their “May the Circle be Unbroken” album featuring some of the greatest names in American music, including Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Roy Acuff, Mother Maybelle Carter, Merle Travis, Norman Blake, Vassar Clements and many others. I wore the vinyl out years ago and have since replaced it with tape and CD versions.  But the Dirt Band, good as they are, may not be my favorite when the weekend is over. 

Every year, I visit all the stages and listen to a myriad of wonderful performances. I always come away with a profound respect for the amazing talent I have seen and heard, and often several new favorite picks for my music library. 

You will see me there all three days. I hope you’ll be there too.  

If you want to help spread the word, here is something new to tell your out of town friends about the Folk Festival. Folk Festival camping will be available in town at the White Springs ball field. The camping is primitive with portable toilets only. Tents, pop ups and small trailers under 20′ will be allowed. The fee is $30 for three nights and pre-registration is required. Call 386-397-2310 for more information.

We are so very proud to hear of the accomplishments of our talented young folks in White Springs. On Friday, April 24, Monique Bryant came in second in the girls long Jump in the Regional Division State Track and Field semifinals. She jumped 16′ 6″ 3/4″ feet, only a half inch from the winning score at the Tallahassee meet! Kevin McClain won the Boys High Jump. Monique and Kevin will be representing the Region at the State Finals this Friday, May 1, in Jacksonville. Way to go, Monique and Kevin! We will be rooting for you, and we are all very proud of you.

So, once again I think I’ve said enough. It’s no secret that I love to report the good news and the positive possibilities that are out there for personal and community growth, and I’d love to hear from you! As always, I look forward to seeing you out and about, enjoying life in White Springs.  

Walter McKenzie

lifeinwhitesprings@gmail.com

386-303-1394