In 1956, the citizens of Taylor County,
Florida decided to stage a countywide
"Pine Tree Festival"
as an educational tool to reduce forest fires that were crippling the county's economic base - the timber
industry. Over the years, the festival grew and accomplished its aim so well that by 1965, Taylor County
could boast the lowest fire record in history.

In 1965, Taylor County was the top tree producing county in the South and Florida governor Hayden
Burns and the Florida Cabinet proclaimed Taylor County "Tree Capital of the South." US Congressman
Don Fuqua made the same proclamation on the floor of the Congress. At the urging of Governor Burns,
the Pine Tree Festival then became the Florida Forest Festival.

The goal of the Florida Forest Festival became, and remains that of promoting the benefits of "Forestry
in Florida." The festival is the best "media" available to tell the "Green and Growing story of Florida's
Forest Industry."

The festival has been celebrating more than 50 years of service to the industry. We are proud of our
festival here in our "Tree Capital." Hundreds of volunteers work year round, making it a success in
"paying tribute to the tree" and to just "having fun!"