Thousands made their way to downtown Zephyrhills to honor the city during the 110th Founder’s Day Parade & Heritage Festival on March 7.
This year’s theme was “The Roaring ‘20s: Glitz, Glam and Tin Cans” – which celebrated the wild decade of gangsters, the Charleston and flappers.
The 1920s also marked the start of the tin can tourist trend in Zephyrhills.
People from all over would come to the area for the warm weather, in their homemade camping trailers.
One could say this was the early beginnings of the modern day ‘snowbird.’
The parade, which featured floats, marching bands, dignitaries and various vintage vehicles, kicked off the event at 10 a.m.
Many riding on floats tossed out beads and candy to the crowds that lined up along the parade route.
One of the parade highlights was when Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield, who along with his wife, Ernestine, tossed candy from atop the red jeep they were riding in.
Over 80 vendors and food trucks lined Fifth Avenue and some side streets, offering an array of dining and shopping options.
Throughout the day, live music was performed on the Eiland Clock Stage. A storytelling series, called ‘Tales of the Hills,’ also entertained audiences from the Hopkins Family Porch, at the Jeffries House.
Rounding out the event – there was a kid zone, with a bounce house and inflatable slide. The Zephyrhills Police Department had a K-9 demonstration, and there was an old-fashion corn grinding presentation at the Woman’s Club.
The event was hosted by Main Street Zephyrhills, 38537 Fifth Ave.
