Florida's beaches and climate attract visitors every year trying to escape the cold weather in other parts of the United States and in Canada. While the beaches are sometimes reason enough to visit Florida, there are also a number of seasonal festivals and activities that take place in January and February. These events provide another option for visitors or residents in Florida.
The Zora Neale Hurston Festival is held Jan. 22-30 in Florida. The festival celebrates the life Hurston, a 20th-century black folklorist and anthropologist. Included in the festival are public talks, concerts, museum exhibitions and programming for children. Visitors can expect to see some well-known artists, such as Kem Owens, a Nashville-born singer and songwriter, and other performers at the festival.
Monster Jam Trucks is held Jan. 29 at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The monster truck show features oversized trucks performing races and stunts for the crowd. Tickets for the event should be bought before the event and can be found at the Ticket Hold and Ticket Network websites.
The NASCAR Budweiser Shootout is held in Daytona Beach on Jan. 15. The shootout features 12 qualifying drivers and a number of past NASCAR champions racing each other on the Daytona International Speedway. Most of the racers are former series championship drivers that no longer compete in professional racing. It provides a unique venue for rookie drivers to challenge former champions. The race is 75 laps (188 miles) and is a "non-points" event. Tickets are available through the Daytona International Speedway website.
The Osceola Art Festival is a two-day event that starts Feb. 12. The festival celebrates and displays various art forms. The events are divided into different exhibits, as well as food stands and live music. Guests can also expect to see a number of art competitions, with members of the Osceola Art Center acting as the jury. Some of the categories include pastels, drawings, paintings, wood and metalworking. Guests can attend the event for free.
