Open Invite to Safety Harbor Residents: Help Us Make Grapefruit Legacy a Success

The entire community of Safety Harbor is encouraged to become involved with the April 16, 2011  - Safety Harbor Grapefruit Legacy Fest.    Merchants, educators, artisans and residents can all become involved many creative ways as we promote the legacy of Safety Harbor.

Here are a few ideas:

1. A grapefruit mascot - to be used at the event and at other events throughout the year.  What should it be named - Mr. Grapefruit?  Count Philippe?  Odet?  Should there be a naming contest?
2. How can we get the school-age children involved - should there be a pageant filled with the colorful parts of our history - Native Americans, pirates, hurricanes, grapefruit plantation, Spaniards, our healing waters?
3. Grapefruit itself has to be a prime focus, so what would be fun?   Bake-off, throw-down, "best-of", signature dishes and beverages?  Someone suggested a cookbook of our top recipes - great idea!
4. A ceremonial proclamation will be a significant kick-off to the day's festivities, and be followed by events such as a 5K run, children's games (as in grapefruit roll, grapefruit bowling, grapefruit toss).
5. Arts and crafts vendors are wanted to sell any wares that would include grapefruit themed items- hand painted kitchenware, art decor, glass-blown grapefruit Christmas ornaments, etc.
6. Ever tried grapefruit wine?  Or a grapefruit colada or rita?  You'll be able to find them in Safety Harbor once our entertainment venues get creative.
7. Area landscapers will be on hand to provide growing tips for those wanting to purchase and plant their own trees.
8. The Safety Harbor Historical Museum will feature items tying in the historical signifance of grapefruit's start in Safety Harbor to how it has flourished  into a billion-dollar industry.

What are your ideas?  We'd welcome them!   Contact us either at the Safety Harbor Chamber at 727 726 2890 or at  City of Safety Harbor Leisure Services Department at 727-724-1572.

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12-11-2010

Safety Harbor Grapefruit Legacy Program Endorsed by Chamber

Safety Harbor.  Community officials have decided it's time to tout the praises of one of their founding fathers, Odet Philippe.  Philippe is credited with introducing the first grapefruit into Florida back in the early 1800's, beginning what has led to Florida's billion-dollar grapefruit industry.  Odet Philippe has been inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame for his contributions to the citrus industry. 

The Board of Directors of the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce endorsed this project and will work with the City of Safety Harbor and other area businesses and organizations to launch this program. The Safety Harbor Grapefruit Legacy project will be an ongoing effort to entertain and educate locals and visitors on this historic significance.   

On April 16, 2011, the first ever Safety Harbor Grapefruit Legacy Fest will take place.  The day's events will include a ceremonial tribute at the site of Odet Philippe's grave, now located in Philippe Park, a 5K run, arts and crafts booths featuring grapefruit-related items, music, children's games and other family activities.

The restaurant community will be invited to develop signature dishes and beverages which include grapefruit, and the public can enjoy a "taste of" and maybe even a grapefruit "throw down" with celebrity judges. A list of participating merchants selling grapefruit-related items will be available at the Chamber office. 

This will be an ongoing public relations campaign for the City of Safety Harbor and the Safety Harbor Chamber in an effort to increase tourism. 


For further information, contact the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce at 727-726-2890 or email GrapefruitLegacy@verizon.net.   

For those interested in the life of Odet Philippe, a book has been published by J. Allison DeFoor, II titled "Odet Philippe:  Peninsular Pioneer."  It is available for purchase at the Safety Harbor Regional Museum of History. 
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