#Gilmer Park Historic District

[followjacobbarlow]

Gilmer Park Historic District

[skyesplace-blog]

Downtown Fort Myers

Downtown Fort Myers, also known as the River District, was established after the Seminole and Civil Wars as a trade outpost, and cattle and farming community. It was officially incorporated in 1855. The same year, inventor Thomas Edison bought 13 acres along the Caloosahatchee River and built his “Seminole Lodge, and in 1916 Henry Ford purchased a neighboring property (these are now registered sites on the National Register of Historic Places) (NPS, 2010). The opening of a rail line in 1904 allowed Fort Myers to become an increasingly popular destination for both vacationers as well as permanent residents. One of the more historic developments arising from of this development period was the construction of the Arcade Theater built by two brothers, Harvie and Gilmer Heitman in 1915. The building is still in use by the Florida Repertory Theater after being acquired and undergoing restoration in 1998 (Florida Rep, 2019). The completion of the Edison Bridge in 1931 was also instrumental in the development of Fort Myers, as it allowed developers to more easily cross the Caloosahatchee River and connect Fort Myers with North Fort Myers.

The Downtown area has seen many such economic and developmental waves and between 2010 and 2017 Fort Myers grew by over 17,000 permanent residents. As such, there are many developmental projects underway to accommodate both the influx of residents as well as tourists, such as the construction of new hotels in the River District. While some argue that this is a benefit to the regional economy, I am concerned because many of these developments don’t necessarily benefit local community members, instead providing goods and services intended for wealthy visitors and “snowbirds” (residents who live in Fort Myers only during the winter seasons). Tourism is, of course, an important part of this region’s economy, but it is also extremely important to invest money into the local community, such as providing grants to local businesses, reoutfitting existing buildings to bring them to code (and then filling them with local businesses), and providing funding to community members for industry or certificate training so that year-round citizens are able to afford the services that development brings. This re-investment into the community (rather than just funding projects benefiting wealthy tourists) should also include sustainability components, such as sustainability in construction, food, and retail industries. In addition to this, all new developments moving forward, especially developments in the River District, should be environmentally conscious, such as Leeds Certified. These would help increase urban sustainability on many levels.

One of the seeming challenges to the Riverwalk District is the tug-and-pull between the river and the human development taking place. The Caloosahatchee river is a significant waterway connecting the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Okeechobee and was a primary site of the red tide and algae blooms in 2018. While this environmental catastrophe is primarily attributed to fertilizer and other water pollution from Lake Okeechobee, the development occurring right now in Downtown is certainly not helping. Additionally, the red tide and algae blooms last year hurt tourism in southwest Florida, and though the Downtown area was not as negatively affected as the beach area, the impact is still significant.

Sources

National Park Service (2010). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places.

https://www.floridarep.org/about-florida-rep/historic-arcade-theatre/

[wanderluster-blog]

People love festivals for various reasons.  Some people go for the crafts, others for the music. Some people like the livestock shows and others for the ride.  I go for the atmosphere and Shane goes for the food.  It doesn’t matter the size of the festival to me. It could be a small town celebration with 20 tents, or a huge production with fair rides and livestock shows.  I enjoy the people watching and eating an apple dumplin’ served up from a trailer by friendly southern folk.  Festivals are a great way to get businesses or organizations some publicity.  Some festivals have a purpose in mind: to raise funds for a community project.  Below are 15 festivals in Georgia that give back to their community.

Decatur BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival

August 12, 2017 – Decatur, GA

Benefiting Community Center of South Decatur is in it’s 17th year.

Tickets are $15

http://www.decaturbbqfestival.com/

JeepFest

August 31-Sept 3, 2017 –  Japser, GA

100% of proceeds go on to help kids in and around community.

Jeep owners and enthusiasts come from all of the United States to attend.

Admission is free for spectators and passengers. $75.00 to register per Jeep

JeepFest – https://www.sheriffsjeepfest.com/event

AJC Decatur Book Festival

September 1-3, 2017 – Decatur, GA

Benefiting the DBF – Promoting a year-round literary community by hosting a series of fundraising and literary events.

Free Admission

https://www.decaturbookfestival.com/

Rock’n Ribville

September 16, 2017 – Lawrenceville, GA

Benefiting Lawrenceville Police Benevolent Fund this event is in it’s 10th year.

Enjoy live music and eat southern style barbecue

Free Admission

http://www.rocknribville.com/home

Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival

September 15-17, 2017 – Blue Ridge, GA.

Benefiting Snack in a Backpack this event consists of a Blues pup crawl on Friday night and festival on Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets are $5

http://www.stayinblueridge.com/blue-ridge-blues-and-bbq-festival/

Jekyll Island Shrimp and Grits Festival

September 15-17, 2017

Benefiting the Jekyll Island Foundation raising funds for projects related to the conservation, preservation, and educational initiatives of Jekyll Island.

Free Admission

http://www.jekyllisland.com/signatureevents-category/shrimp-and-grits-festival/

Tiny Home Mountain Festival

Sept 23-24, 2017 – Elijay, GA

Benefiting the local area Boy’s and Girls Club and Gilmer County Food Bank

Explore Tiny Home Living at this festival.

$10 for Adults, $8 for Kids and under 3 will be free

https://www.tinymountainfestival.com/about

People First Fall Festival

September 30, 2017

Benefiting People First of Henry Count offering free socials for special needs families throughout the year

Come out and enjoy music, food, games, prizes, bingo, hay ride, social for special needs children and adults.

Free Admission

People First

Historic Oakland Foundation 40th Anniversary

October 1, 2017 – Oakland Cemetery – Atlanta, GA

All proceeds benefit the Historic Oakland Foundation

Come dressed in your best Victorian garb at the 38th annual Victorian-inspired festival features a variety of live musical entertainment, living history demonstrations, Irish dancers and an opportunity to enter some of the magnificent mausoleums.

Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for children aged 4-12, and free for children 3 and under

http://www.oaklandcemetery.com/?event=sunday-in-the-park-2

Foxfire Mountaineer Festival

October 7, 2017 – Clayton, GA

Benefiting the Foxfire Fund, Inc. and support many educational programs at museum and in schools.

One-day celebration of the rich heritage of the Southern Appalachian mountains, featuring traditional music from numerous regional performers, showcases and demonstrations of time-honored heritage skills and trades, and all manner of traditional games and puzzles for young and old alike.

$5 per person, children age 5 and under are free

http://theblueridgehighlander.com/calendar/index.php?eID=3287

Alive Festival

October 21, 2017 – Suwanee, GA

Benefiting Project Green and Back to Basics Kids Camp

Health & Wellness, Green Living Eco Festival help attendees learn how to integrate health and wellness plus natural, organic and green products into environmentally responsible eco living and to create a positive impact on the world as a whole.

Free Admission

http://aliveexpo.com/alive_festival.php

Gold Rush Days

October 21-22, 2017 – Dahlonega, GA

Benefiting Empty Stocking Fund

It is a time for thousands to come and see fall colors peaking and celebrate Dahlonega’s 1828 discovery of gold. Over 300 art and craft exhibitors and food vendors gather around the Public Square and Historic District in support of this annual event. It is estimated that a crowd of over 200,000 visits over the weekend to join in the fun and excitement!

Free Admission

https://dahlonegajaycees.com/gold-rush-days/

Humming Bird Festival

October 21-22, 2017 – Hoganville, GA

Benefiting the Hogansville Charitable Trust.

A true small town festival, featuring 200 vendors, food court, live music, kids area, artisan crafts, and more.

Free Admission

http://www.hummingbirdfestival.com/

  Moonshine Festival

October 27-29, 2017 – Dawnsonville, GA

Benefiting  KARE – taking care of our children by addressing their needs

Car Show and festival.

Free Admission $10.00 parking

http://www.kareforkids.org/mountain-moonshine-festival.html

Chomp and Stomp Chili Cook-off and Bluegrass Festival

November 4, 2017 – Cabbagetown Neighborhood, Atlanta, GA

Benefiting Cabbagetown parks, green spaces, and community center

A little bit of country in the big city,  featuring music that was popular when residents and mill workers. They played that old-time music and preserved rural traditions right here in the middle of Atlanta! Hard work and home-cooking, small houses and big hearts, recipes and religion, family and friends, stories and songs – relics of times past kept the community vibrant as it struggled to keep strong in a fast changing world.

This is a token event.  Purchase spoons and drink tokens on website if you want to avoid lines. They’ll also be available the day-of at each of our 5 Welcome Centers (we will accept cash or credit / debit).

http://www.chompandstomp.com/

    15 Georgia Festivals that Give Back People love festivals for various reasons.  Some people go for the crafts, others for the music. Some people like the livestock shows and others for the ride.