Festivities in Bloom

Parade, car show among highlights of Azalea Festival

  • Putnam County Shrine Club members make their way along Main Street on Saturday as the Azalea Parade kicks off the 74th annual Florida Azalea Festival in Palatka.
    Putnam County Shrine Club members make their way along Main Street on Saturday as the Azalea Parade kicks off the 74th annual Florida Azalea Festival in Palatka.
  • Pomona Park resident Dan Bowser enjoys lunch as he sits to the right of his 1974 Mercury Cougar during the car show Saturday.
    Pomona Park resident Dan Bowser enjoys lunch as he sits to the right of his 1974 Mercury Cougar during the car show Saturday.
  • Mayor Terrill Hill speaks Saturday as the Palatk Trail Town Committee dedicates a set of kiosks to celebrate the city becoming a Trail Town.
    Mayor Terrill Hill speaks Saturday as the Palatk Trail Town Committee dedicates a set of kiosks to celebrate the city becoming a Trail Town.
  • Dancers from USA Gymnastics Academy in Palatka did twirls and cartwheels down Main Street for the parade Saturday morning.
    Dancers from USA Gymnastics Academy in Palatka did twirls and cartwheels down Main Street for the parade Saturday morning.
  • Don Rairigh puts a shine on the rear bumper of his 1972 Volkswagen Beetle Saturday during the car show at the 74th annual Florida Azalea Festival. Rairigh also brought along a 1972 Ford Mustang.
    Don Rairigh puts a shine on the rear bumper of his 1972 Volkswagen Beetle Saturday during the car show at the 74th annual Florida Azalea Festival. Rairigh also brought along a 1972 Ford Mustang.
  • People attending the Azalea Festival on Saturday peruse the numerous vendor booths along St. Johns Avenue.
    People attending the Azalea Festival on Saturday peruse the numerous vendor booths along St. Johns Avenue.
The bloom of the 74th Florida Azalea Festival brought more than 17,000 visitors to downtown Palatka Saturday and Sunday with a classic car show, local vendors and a parade.  “It went fine. We have a…

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