Group steps up to save event

Brooksville Business Alliance will take over Founders Week.

By BARBARA BEHRENDT, Times Staff Writer
Published September 6, 2007

The Hernando High School marching band makes it's way up Howell Avenue during last year's Brooksville Founder's Day Parade. Since the city has backed away from organizing Founder's Week events this year, the Parade could be in doubt, although other events are still on tap.
	[Edmund D. Fountain | Times (2006)]

BROOKSVILLE - The popular events of Brooksville's annual Founders Day celebration will continue even though the city has backed away from organizing the activities.

The Brooksville Business Alliance has stepped forward to coordinate the annual October celebration, which began in 2002.

The event commemorating the founding of the city 151 years ago has grown from a one-day event into a weeklong celebration of Founders Week, which will be from Oct. 13-20.

Hernando County Fire Arts Council executive director Mary Jane Russell has signed on to coordinate the events. Taking on that job seemed like a natural fit, she said Wednesday.

"The Fine Arts Council certainly sees the importance of Founders Week," she said. The events planned around the celebration showcase Brooksville and Hernando County's heritage for residents and people not so familiar with downtown Brooksville. Visitors know they can return to Brooksville to patronize the area's shops, Russell said.

The city of Brooksville has coordinated the event in the past, but the money and staff time have fallen victim to budget tightening, officials have said. City Clerk Karen Phillips said there was plenty of interest in making sure Founders Day did not die.

"Everyone thought that it was such a powerful event," she said.

Those interested in the arts see the event as a good way to showcase what the town has to offer, Phillips said. "It's a way to unify the community," she said.

The Founders Day Parade, which the city has coordinated in the past, is in doubt for this year. But there are plenty of other activities still on tap.

Russell said the Founders Day activities would be planned over the course of the entire week with the Bandshell Bash kicking things off on Oct. 13. During the week, the Women's Club will sponsor its Victorian Tea. Other events will include the cemetery walk and the City Hall Art Gallery reception featuring cake recognizing the city's birthday.

The Great Brooksvillian will be honored in a ceremony on Oct. 17. The program recognizes outstanding men and women who have contributed to the history, culture and economy of the community. The city is seeking nominations.

Each year the City Council decides the number of recipients and makes the selection. Those individuals are honored on a perpetual plaque in City Hall and an individual plaque is given to the honoree or family members.

The week will wrap up with the October Market on Main Street, which will again feature birthday cake. Activities for the children, clowns and other entertainment are planned.

Barbara Behrendt can be reached at behrendt@sptimes.com or 352 848-1434.

Fast facts

Founders Day

Anyone interested in adding to the activities should call Mary Jane Russell at 754-4788 or e-mail hernandoarts@aol.com More information is at www.brooksvillebusiness.com.

Great Brooksvillian

The deadline for nominations is Sept. 17. For information or a nomination form, call the city clerk at 544-5407 or e-mail kphillips@ci.brooksville.fl.us or jpeters@ci.brooksville.fl.us.

[Last modified September 5, 2007, 20:23:13]