Zora Festival Celebration teaches rich cultural legacy of Zora Neale Hurston

EATONVILLE, Fla. — Sunday ended the last day of the ZORA Festival in Eatonville.

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The outdoor festival, which ran from Friday to Sunday along East Kennedy Boulevard, celebrated Zora Neale Hurston’s rich cultural legacy.

Sunday, the theme “Day of Reflection,” honored musical legends with soul-stirring performances like Marvin Gaye and Tina Turner, inspiring nonstop dancing.

Vendors lined the street, offering everything from handmade crafts to mouthwatering soul food. Beyond the festivities, interactive exhibits and storytelling sessions educated visitors on Eatonville’s rich history and Black heritage.

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“This is a season. This is just the January Kick-off. We will be doing programming all the way to October. So though the outdoor festival is now a thing of the past. The season continues, said N.Y Nathiri, Executive Director at the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community.”

The festival also featured interactive exhibits and educational displays, highlighting Black history and heritage. Attendees explored museum exhibitions and engaged in programs that showcased the artistic expressions and cultural contributions of people of African ancestry.

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