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The George Washington’s Birthday FestivalThe first festival was held on February 22, 1902 and was held on the grounds of the Ocklawaha Hotel. Residents produced a pageant depicting the early history of the State of Florida, the Nation as a whole, and how the Eustis area was settled. Tourists staying at the hotel enjoyed the festival and many visitors from nearby villages came by horse, mule, foot or boat to enjoy the events. The idea of the festival took hold and they were held in subsequent years, gradually growing in scope and acceptance as an event to attend. In later years, people were even brought in by trains for the event. In 1911 the crowd was estimated at about 2,500 - about twice the size of the actual population of Eustis! Eventually, as the parade and boating elements came into the picture the activities migrated to the downtown and lakeside areas. Various types of boat races were introduced. When it was time to watch a water event, everyone went to the lake-shore of the city pier at the end of Magnolia Ave. This pier was about where the Lake Eustis Area Chamber of Commerce is now located, before Ferran Park was built. |