Festival of Lights and the Suwannee River

Posted in Florida, RVing, State ParksTagged , , , , ,

I love viewing Christmas Lights and one of my favorite displays is at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center in White Springs, Florida. We first stumbled upon the festival a few years ago when we stayed at the campground on our way south. This December we met friends there for a few days.

All the buildings were decorated for the holidays. Christmas music from the Carillon tower could be heard all around the park several times a day.

20181212-Museum-(1)
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center Museum

During the days we enjoyed exploring in and around the park. The weather was chilly and the Suwannee River was high.

20181211-Stephen-Foster-(8)
Suwannee River in White Springs, FL

We were able to explore the historic Spring House on the Suwannee River early in the week before the river level became too high to reach it.

20181211-Stephen-Foster-(10)
Spring House in White Springs, FL

The Suwannee River level kept rising all week. By the end of the week the Spring House was surrounded by water. The photos below illustrate just how high he river rose. On the left is the way it looked when we were there in February earlier this year, and on the right is the way it looked at the end of our stay in December.

Spring House at White Springs, Florida
Suwanee River at the Spring House

One day we enjoyed a picnic under the oak trees after walking along a trail beside the river in Big Shoals State Park. The river was swift and so high we couldn’t see the shoals.

20181212-Big-Shoals-(3)
Big Shoals trail on the Suwannee River

One afternoon we stopped at the Carillon Tower to hear Jan play her Mountain Dulcimer and play the Steinway Grand Piano that was once owned by Andrew Carnegie. I’ve never heard a piano that sounded so beautiful.

20181213-White-Springs-(21)
This Steinway Grand Piano in the Carillon Tower was once owned by Andrew Carnegie

White Springs was once a thriving tourist destination with several hotels. A fire in 1911 destroyed all the hotels except for the Telford which is still standing. We took a walking tour of downtown White Springs and enjoyed seeing the historic buildings.

The Telford Hotel in White Springs, FL
Adams Country Store in White Springs, FL

At night, the park came to life with the Christmas light displays.

Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center
Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center
Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center

We had a great week hanging out with our friends and exploring the park and White Springs.

I posted about our 2016 visit to the park at Way down upon the Suwanee River and our February, 2018 visit at Spring Flowers and the Suwannee River

13 thoughts on “Festival of Lights and the Suwannee River”

  1. Hi Beth, we have passed by the exit for White Springs many times and although I am aware of the Carillon Tower and the museum, we have never visited. The Spring House is new to me, so I Googled it – wow, quite the history. Your photographs of the Suwanee River are beautiful, even if the water is too high, and of course, nothing says Christmas like a beautiful light display. Glad you enjoyed your visit. Merry Christmas.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Ironically ran across your blog while researching our 2019 trip to Minnesota-Wisconsin-Michigan. We’re Gators who live in Florida and began our Rv adventure in 2018 when I retired. We chronicle our adventure on our blog campingfortheresroflife.com. Would love to meet up if you’re ever in the Sarasota area.

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.