Bicentennial Weekend Spectacular to Set a Lasting Legacy for Tallahassee-Leon County

Leon County Government is excited to announce the “Bicentennial Weekend Spectacular,” a two-day historical event on November 9 and 10, 2024, at the Parkview at Cascades and Cascades Park, 1001 S. Gadsden Street.

This free, family-friendly event will bring the community together for enlightening programs, lively entertainment, and thought-provoking moments of reflection on the past two centuries.

Saturday and Sunday Events

Saturday, November 9:

The Bicentennial Weekend Spectacular begins at 9 a.m. at the Parkview at Cascades, 1001 S. Gadsden Street, featuring a full day of engaging speakers highlighting Leon County’s history. This includes a highlight of Leon County’s civil rights leaders and an exploration of the rich tapestry of indigenous Native American roots, with members of the Talimali Band of the Apalachee Indians and the Muscogee Tribe, as well as strategies for tracing family histories and a discussion on the role of faith in shaping our community. There will also be a showcase of the strong Spanish history in Tallahassee-Leon County over the past 200 years and, to wrap up the day, a Heritage Walk around Cascades Park.  

Sunday, November 10:

The City of Tallahassee and Friends of First Florida Capitol will present the Bicentennial Festival celebrating the 200^th anniversary of the first legislative session in Florida. Kicking off at 1 p.m. on Centennial Field in beautiful Cascades Park, this event will bring the past to life with activities including performances by Theater with a Mission and interactive exhibits representing the 1600s through 2024 and beyond.

Festival attendees will want to stroll through the First Florida Capitol, a replica of the log cabin constructed to house Florida’s early government.  At 4 p.m., play a role in making history by joining leaders including Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey, St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline and Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves for the dedication of the replica and unveiling of a historical marker commemorating the Bicentennial.
 
Celebrate the historic occasion with community partners, food trucks and artisans throughout the afternoon and enjoy free ice cream as the cherry on top of the festivities. Visit FirstFloridaCapitol.org/Festival to view the full schedule of activities.

See the schedule of activities and events for the Bicentennial Spectacular Weekend at TallahasseeLeonCounty200.com/Bicentennial-Weekend-Spectacular. Additional details for the First Florida Capitol presentation can be found at FirstFloridaCapitol.org. If you would like more information, please contact Vel Johnson at (850) 606-2314 or JohnsonV@LeonCountyfl.gov.

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About The Leon County Division of Tourism/Visit Tallahassee: 

The Leon County Division of Tourism (Visit Tallahassee) is the official destination marketing organization charged with marketing Tallahassee-Leon County as a premier leisure, business and sports destination through direct sales, advertising, public relations, sports and visitor services. The Capital of Cross Country, Tallahassee-Leon County is home to the internationally recognized cross country course at Apalachee Regional Park, which will serve as the host for the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships. In 2023 Tallahassee-Leon County welcomed 2.4 million visitors who contributed $1.25 Billion in economic impact and accounts for more than 12,790 people employed in our community in the tourism & hospitality industry. For more information, go to VisitTallahassee.com or call toll free (800) 628-2866. Engage with Visit Tallahassee on Facebook and Instagram or visit us at the Leon County Visitor Information Center and Gift Shop located in at 414 E. Bloxham Street, Suite 115, Tallahassee, FL 32301