Flagler County, FL – As the weather gets cooler, it’s a sure sign of the arrival of fall, and with it, a variety of events across the northeast Florida region.
One event that’s a “must do” on the arts and music festival circuit is the annual Creekside Festival at Princess Place Preserve. Formerly hosted by the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce, when the organization went defunct, Flagler Broadcasting was enlisted to carry on the signature event that has been a staple in Flagler County for 15 years.
A person could easily argue the natural beauty of the location is the main draw. The Princess Place Preserve is undeniably the gem of Flagler County. With 1,500 acres of pristine natural lands, it’s an outdoor enthusiast’s mecca, with paved and unpaved walking trails, spectacular waterfront views and a preserve that is a haven for wildlife.
But then again, lovers of history make the trek to Princess Place over and over to sit on the wraparound porch and ponder what it must have been like to live on the magnificent homestead in the 1800’s. Home to Florida’s first spring fed, in-ground pool, it’s one of those things you have to see to believe. And tours of the house where Angela Mills Cutting Worden also known as “The Princess” lived, are a journey into the past.
For guests of this year’s Creekside, it’s all of the above, and more. Known for an array of bluegrass musical entertainment, Flagler Broadcasting has expanded the two-day entertainment lineup to include the traditional bluegrass favorites, along with rock, Motown, blues, and Nashville country music headliners Pryor & Lee.
“We’re diversifying the music so it’s not all bluegrass,” shared David Ayres, vice president and general manager for Flagler Broadcasting.
“A lot of people who aren’t bluegrass fans can’t tell one bluegrass band from another. There’s a diversity of people who come to Creekside, so we thought let’s match the music up to the diversity of the people and make it more entertaining,” he said encouraging guests to ‘bring your lawn chairs, camp out under the trees and just have a good time’.
The annual Creekside Festival also become known as an attractive event for high quality artisans and handcrafters from across the country. They even make space for local and regional businesses, services and organizations.
Moving the layout around just a bit, Ayres says there will be more room to kick back and relax.
“We’re putting the stage a little bit better place, creating more room for food vendors and also making it more comfortable for people to eat, by adding shade so people can relax.”
Family-friendly entertainment is always a priority for Flagler Broadcasting, and Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dogs will be on hand for the little ones to enjoy, and Camp Moonshine featuring Charlie Cracker, Florida’s de facto moonshine maker, will be open serving up libations and entertaining the adults with his antics, including evading the local Sheriff.
The $10 entry for adults (free for kids 12 and under and there’s no cost to park) helps benefit the Grace Community Food Bank led by Pastor Charles Silano, in order to help restock ahead of the holidays, and really brings the event full circle.
“It’s a regional draw and these kinds of things are really what make a community,” said Ayres.
“People don’t see each other unless they’re at events like this, so it’s a good thing when people say, ‘hey, we’ll see you at Creekside, what time are you going? and go there and have lunch. It’s really what makes a community is having events like this, so if Creekside would have fallen by the wayside, it really would have been a shame.”
Whether you’re coming for the music, the food, the fun, or the fabulous venue, you’ll want to make sure the 16th Annual Creekside Festival is on your calendar for October 9-10, 2021. Find out more here.
Scheduled Events
Saturday Oct. 9th, 2021
•8am gates and vendors open
•9am -12 Fiddle Rat (Bluegrass/Country)
•12:30 –2pm Anthony Wild with Gerrard (Blues)
•2:30 –5pm Those Guys (Classic Rock)
Sunday Oct. 10th, 2021
•8am gates and vendors open
•9am –12:30 Slickwood (Bluegrass/Country)
•12:45 –1pm Charlie Cracker & Company
•1:30 –3pm Pryor & Lee (Country)
