Jubilee in the park brings the generations and community together once again

Vendor smiled while making her way to help potential customers.

Unique art and pottery sold at booth during the Jubilee festival.
Photos by Samantha Joseph

By Samantha Joseph
Outlook Writer

The sun beamed down on downtown Tallahassee as hundreds of people walked the streets.
Music blared over the streets of downtown Tallahassee. The aroma from the blend of ethnic foods from Greek to Caribbean was enough to make anyone giddy.

 
Oh, and the sunny afternoon condition helped to create just the setting that thousands of people – some traveling from out of town – came to the Jubilee in the Park for.

 
Some have been coming for generations. Chad and Natalie Bailey came as children and now they bring their family in tow.

 
“I grew up coming to this every year,” said Natalie. “I have been coming here for over 20 years and this is their (her children) fifth year.”

 
Even a first timer like Gloria Olloqui found the event to be a great way for her family to bond. She brought along her daughter for some one-on-one time.

 
Part of their afternoon was spent indulging in their favorites from the wide variety of food, clearly an attraction from the bustle around the vendors.

 
“I’ve been coming ever since I was a little girl, my favorite thing is the food,” said Tameka Smith. “I try to look for ethnic food. I like Greek food, Jamaican food or anything like that.”

 
All total, the jubilee is a win-win for Tallahassee, with city officials estimating it helps to generate $9 million to the city’s coffers.

 
Food and games such as face-painting were all that people spent money on Saturday. Some, including spectators like Condace Cooper, plunked down a good sum of cash on arts and craft.

 
“The vendors are my favorite,” she said. “The art; things like skin care products, clothing, the cultural diversity.”

 
James Jiacobbe was there mostly to get out and enjoy the scenery.

 
“I’ve been coming down here since 2005,” he said. “I love being in the outdoors, I love the Springtime Tallahassee festival, the parade is great, the street merchants are awesome. I’ll buy a little knick knack every now and then and put it in the house and it reminds me of the festival and Springtime Tallahassee.

 
“We just have a great time out here with family and friends I like looking at all the different people coming through. I like looking at the different things the merchants are selling because it’s a lot of fun to me.”