City, community collaborate on Safety Harbor Centennial celebrations

Late last year, we reported on the status of Safety Harbor’s centennial celebration after Commissioner Cliff Merz said that he had been approached by a number of residents who asked about the lack of centennial-specific events on the city’s website.

Although it was pointed out during that Dec. 19 meeting that there are several events among the 100 that are scheduled in 2017 that will have a centennial theme, including the recent scavenger hunt, some historical reenactments and several special Third Fridays, the topic was addressed again during the latest commission meeting.

“I know that there’s been some talk about the centennial, and I’ve also had several people stop me and say why aren’t we doing a big centennial event,” Commissioner Janet Hooper said during her Feb. 20 Commission Report. “There’s a lot of people who really want some kind of big party, so I’m just passing that along.”

Commissioner Carlos Diaz concurred.

“We need some kind of big…something,” Diaz said. “I know we have a lot of events going, but I think we need a centralized event, some kind of party or something like that.”

“We have to figure something out.”

Mayor Andy Steingold suggested creating a bigger, centennial-themed celebration around the framework of a Third Friday.

“It seems like everybody wants one major event to celebrate, so I would coincide that with a Third Friday and bring out (people) that much more,” Steingold said.

“I would plan one big event this next year coinciding with Third Friday.”

The commission then directed City Manager Matt Spoor and staff to come up with a plan for an expanded centennial event, and during the next commission meeting on Monday, Mar. 6, a memo will be presented that will list suggestions, encourage feedback and seek direction and budgetary allocations for any such celebration.

In the meantime, at least one history-loving Harborite has embarked on a crusade to spice up the city’s centennial.

Caryl Dennis, an author, psychic, colorist and historical tour guide, is one of those people referred to by the commissioners who isn’t satisfied with the city’s centennial festivities, and she recently met with city officials to come up with a plan to help promote the centennial.

“I’ve offered to be the spokesperson to try and get people to come together and at least talk about what’s already scheduled and make something more of it,” Dennis told Safety Harbor Connect earlier this week.

“I don’t know if we need to have a town hall meeting, or a group come to the commission meeting, but we need to get people in the same room together and brainstorm!”

Dennis, who also plays historical figure Virginia Tucker, the “Grand Dame of Safety Harbor”, said she understands staff is overburdened with the many events the city will host this year, which is why she believes the community needs to pull together and come up with ideas to make the centennial a memorable one.

“There are a lot of people who are creative in this town,” she said. “Let’s tap into that creativity!”

When asked about Dennis’ proposal, Spoor said the city was receptive to any and all ideas.

“I had a good meeting with Caryl,” Spoor said. “I’m glad she told us how she feels. We want to hear feedback. The city is not opposed to getting everyone together to make this work.”

Spoor added that the City is already working with numerous local organizations to give their events a centennial slant.

“The city is already coordinating with groups, organizations and nonprofits,” he said. “But we can’t do everything.”

“There are so many different partners, and so many ways to celebrate the centennial, and we’re trying to coordinate it all.”

He pointed out they’ve already had a hand in many centennial-related things, including commissioning a $10,000 historical sculpture by local artist Kumpa Tawornprom as well as a commemorative painting by Stu Dwork; producing collectible coins to be given away during the holiday parade; hanging special centennial banners from the lightpoles downtown; and bumping up the June edition of Third Friday in recognition of the city’s 100^th birthday.

One celebration that could take on a distinct centennial flair is the recently postponed Folk and Fruit Brew Fest.

The event, which was scheduled for February but moved to November 18 in order to increase sponsorship and reorganize, according to MOSH founder Mercedes Ofalt, was originally conceived as a grapefruit festival in a nod to the city’s history, and with the postponement, she is working on ways to incorporate more history into the event.

“We would like to bring in more centennial things, and because it’s towards the end of the year, make it a centennial-culminating event,” Ofalt, who also runs the Market on Main, said.

“Our intention from the beginning was to have a big centennial celebration that could be repeated year after year, so there will be a theme no matter what.”

Ofalt said MOSH is partnering with the Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society and the City to increase the centennial presence at several events; the April 9 market will be dedicated to the centennial, with the Historical Society planning several special additions, and she’s working on doing “something really fun” for the annual Mayor’s Breakfast in December.

Like Dennis and Spoor said before her, Ofalt believes the key to pulling off the best centennial possible is collaboration.

“We love partnering with the City and the other organizations in town,” she said. “And we look forward to doing so again with the centennial,” she said.

Related content:

• Where are all the Safety Harbor Centennial events?
• Commission selects Safety Harbor Centennial logo(s)