Zora Festival to go virtual over COVID concerns

EATONVILLE, Fla. — For the community of Eatonville, the Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities is the biggest event of the year.

This year, concerns over the coronavirus pandemic have forced organizers to make most of the events virtual.

The festival, now in its 32nd year, brings thousands of people to Eatonville and, with them, a lot of money for the community.

Executive director N.Y. Nathir says besides the usual food, fun and festivities, the festival is also a cultural event that helps raise money for families and students in the community.

“On a year-round basis, we do the community arts lab learning center here in the Zora Neale Hurston museum, and we do a yards and gardens program that’s important because Eatonville is also known as a food desert,” she said.

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This year, because of COVID-19, nearly 95% of the events will be virtual.

“We have an audience that we see needs to have the kind of programming that we provide, and so, while we are challenged, we are watching every penny,” Nathir said.

The Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community says they hope to raise $1.5 million to use as a financial cushion.

Funding organizers say it will be crucial in preserving one of the nation’s oldest African-American communities.

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The festival runs until the end of January.

More information on the Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities can be found here.