Backup Documents 04/12/2016 Item # 4G PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, The Immokalee Harvest Festival began in the spring of 1965; and,
WHEREAS, There were more than 55,000 acres of cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers,
squash and melons being harvested by thousands of workers representing
different ethnic groups including - Mexican, Cuban, Haitian, Seminole
Indian, Caucasian, African American, Puerto Rican, and 6uatema/an; and,
WHEREAS, The annual event endeavored to include all ethnic groups to celebrate the
harvest. Organizers encouraged farmers and farms to offer up foods of
farmworkers native countries and served them under tents in a family
oriented setting; and,
WHEREAS, Family sponsored games were the hit of the day along with tomato staking,
horse shoeing, and softball games. Various farms selected their reigning
Queens and pageant was held to select a Harvest Queen, and each farm
displayed a float in the Harvest Fest Parade; and,
WHEREAS, Immokalee Salad became famous for its abundance of veggies offered for a
serving of salads with a Wild Hog BBQ; and,
WHEREAS, The Harvest Festival in its payday brought in 20,000 people to the
Immokalee Community; and,
WHEREAS, The 2016 Harvest Parade and Festival is being held April 23rd in Immokalee
and all are invited to come celebrate and enjoy in the festivities.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier
County, Florida, that April 23"a 2016 be designated as
IMMOKALEE HARVEST FESTIVAL DAY
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 12th Day of April, 2016
ciy4 411I_; ,, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
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S„�;Q��,�����" ' DONNA FIALA, CHAIRMAN