The 27th Annual Gamble Rogers Folk Festival and St. Johns Cultural Council have announced a family weekend of free outdoor activities for children 16 years of age and younger accompanied by adult ticketholders from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 15-16, at the Children’s Area, St. Johns County Fairgrounds, 5840 State Road 207 East in Elkton.
A myriad of cultural events will include musical instruments and live animal petting zoos, pony rides, lawn games with bowling, cornhole, hula hoops, stilts and bubbles, to name a few. Additionally, volunteer artists will help youngsters create artwork and handmade crafts to take home. The Youth Stage at the Fairgrounds will feature live entertainment with emerging artists and professional performers from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in a family-friendly environment.
The festival celebrates the legacy of legendary troubadour Gamble Rogers, whose balladry and storytelling helped shape American folk music. This year, events have been held at The Waterworks in historic downtown St. Augustine and continue at the fairgrounds from Friday, April 14, to Sunday, April 16, on four stages, featuring performers in a wide variety of musical genres.
Activities attract thousands of spectators to hear renowned singers, songwriters, storytellers and Americana acts who were influenced by Rogers’ music. The entire music festival showcases dozens of national, regional and local musicians and storytellers.
Food trucks and arts-and-crafts vendors will be available all weekend.
Festival attendees have the option to stay and camp at the venue, with advance reservations. Camping reservations must be made in advance and day-of festival tickets will be available at the gate. Children 16 years of age and younger are admitted free of charge during all festival days with adult ticketholders.
Proceeds of the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival provide funds for youth music programs for school-aged children. The organization is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit which commemorates Americana folk music with support from the St. Johns Cultural Council, which promotes and presents arts, culture and heritage activities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches.
The 2023 festival is funded in part by the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council.
For further information, go to gamblerogersfest.org. For tickets, go to eventbrite.com/e/the-27th-annual-gamble-rogers-folk-festival-tickets-555819108917.
About Gamble Rogers
Known as the "Florida Troubadour," Rogers popularized the state's folk traditions in music, storytelling, writing and philosophical humor. After Rogers died in 1991 while trying to save a man from drowning at Flagler Beach State Recreation Area, the park was renamed Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area. Gamble Rogers Middle School in St. Augustine is also named in his honor.
Learn more about Gamble Rogers and the festival at gamblerogersfest.org.
About the St. Johns Cultural Council
In partnership with the cultural community on Florida’s Historic Coast, the St. Johns Cultural Council promotes arts, culture and heritage activities and events in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches. St. Johns County offers more than 450 years of history to explore. As America’s oldest city, St. Augustine’s historic sites are plentiful, including the iconic fort, museums and many attractions that offer reenacted history. For further information, go to historiccoastculture.com.
