The Gamble Rogers Festival commemorates one of the true heroes of our state and nation. A troubadour, poet, musician and story-teller of international renown, James Gamble Rogers chose St. Augustine and North Florida as his permanent home. In this community, which has long been recognized as a national treasure trove of artists and musicians, Gamble Rogers was a true icon.
In 1991, Gamble Rogers became more than the poet-philosopher that he was as a man by sacrificing his life in an effort to save a drowning man visiting our area as a tourist. The remarkable contributions of his life and the heroic circumstances of his death led state and local officials to name both a park and a middle school after him.
Over thirteen years ago, members of the community and staff of the Gamble Rogers Middle School instituted a folk arts festival for the purpose of commemorating Gamble’s art and life. In addition, the festival was envisioned as a mechanism by which folk culture could be brought to the school children of the region as well as to the community at large. The Gamble Rogers Festival has grown steadily since its inception and is now recognized as a major event in the annual calendar of St. Johns County and indeed the Southeast region of the United States.
The future of the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival (GRFF) will depend on the participation and investment of the community which it serves. The Tourist Development Council (TDC) of St. Johns County has provided considerable financial support for festival operating expenses in the past. Unfortunately, that support has ended with the 2009 festival.
Now we ask you to help keep the festival going into the future by making a donation. The presenting organization of GRFF is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation, so your contribution may be tax deductible.
Ten dollars is the minimum donation. If you can contribute more please adjust the amount before you checkout.
Thank you for your support; we'll see you at the festival!
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Donations |
$ 10 |
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