Oakland Heritage Day returns to celebrate Oakland’s 135th anniversary

Town of Oakland | Town of Oakland

By Press release submission

Jan 1, 2023

Oakland Heritage Day, presented by Orlando Health and in partnership with Healthy West Orange and the Oakland Nature Preserve, returns in 2023 to commemorate Oakland’s 135th anniversary. The time-honored festival will be revitalized with fresh, new experiences tailored for both longtime and new residents alike.

The festival celebrates Oakland’s small-town charm, unique history, nature, wellness and the arts with a family-friendly day of live music, food trucks, fine arts and crafts, quality vendors, interactive kids’ activities, and more.

It will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Historic downtown Oakland.

Speer Park
• The Gerry Williams Band, a funk, soul, and R&B act, headlines the festival, with additional performances by soloist Kelly Jarrard and Handpicked, a banjo trio beloved for their residency at an Orlando theme park.
• Food trucks including Burger Fi, Smoking Soul BBQ, Razzo’s Pizzeria, and Hot Dog Therapy; sweet treats and beer and wine garden by West Orange Creamery.
• Historic Florida section sponsored by Oakland Nature Preserve featuring blacksmiths, animal ambassadors and a silent auction benefitting the Preserve.
• Gatorland’s live alligators, snakes, and exotic reptile encounters.

Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center
• Westly's 6th Annual Virtual 5K In-Person Event kicks off from the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at 9 a.m. and continues to the Healthy West Orange Fresh Start Zone at Speer Park. Register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Oakland/WestlysAnnualV5K
• The Orlando Youth Chamber Ensemble will perform on the Center porch from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Soul Haven Ranch will offer historic horse-drawn carriage tours beginning on Petris Avenue outside the Center. Register here: https://www.soulhavenranch.com/historic-carriage-tour
• Participate in a History Harvest by bringing historic items relating to Oakland to be donated, loaned or scanned at the Center.
• The Center’s art and history exhibit will celebrate African American heritage in Florida and Oakland.

For more information on Oakland Heritage Day, visit oaklandfl.gov/999/Community-Events or follow the Town on Facebook at www.facebook.com/oaktownusa.

For a list of participating vendors, visit our Vendor website.