Gullah Geechee Heritage Festival

The Gullah Geechee Heritage Festival honors the journey of St. Augustine's first black settlers and their descendants through live performances, educational demonstrations, and discussions on Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Armstrong Park, 4950 Harvey Avenue, Elkton, Florida.

Educational activities throughout the day will highlight St. Augustine's rich multicultural history, including a Lowcountry cooking demonstration, and a performance by the Gullah Geechee Ring Shouters. The National Park Service and Florida Folklife will share information about Gullah Geechee traditions and heritage.

Visitors can purchase food and drink, which helps to support the SEA (Spuds, Elkton, Armstrong) Community Help Resource Center, a non-profit organization that helps combat homelessness and hunger. 

About the Gullah Geechee: The Gullah Geechee are African descendants who were enslaved to work on plantations on the remote islands along the southern Atlantic U.S. Their isolation on the islands enabled them to preserve their crafts, music, and culinary traditions. They developed a unique Creole dialect now known as "Gullah." The Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor, designated by Congress in 2006, stretches from Wilmington, North Carolina to St. Augustine, Florida, and honors and preserves the history and culture of the Gullah people.

Registration: Admission is free for everyone.

When: Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Where: Armstrong Park, at 4950 Harvey Avenue, Elkton, Florida 32033. 

Parking: A free shuttle bus will take attendees from the St. Johns County Fairgrounds to Armstrong Park, departing from the fairgrounds every 15 minutes. The St. Johns County Fairground is at 5840 State Road 207, Elkton, Florida 32033.