In the decades since its incorporation in 1919, downtown Vero Beach has been the place where dances and teas have been held, merchants sold clothing and other sundries while restaurants, drug stores, markets and movies were visited. Grand hotels, several now gone, hosted out-of-towners, many of whom fell in love with and later called Vero Beach their home.
The courthouse and government offices were bustling, and for fun there were baseball games, shuffleboard, concerts, picnics and children in the playground at Pocahontas Park and the Heritage Center. Everything was found downtown.
On this 100th anniversary day, the public is invited to revisit those memories that have endured for a century, bringing the community together in this place of history, the heartbeat of the community: Historic Downtown Vero Beach.
On Oct. 26, bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnics and mingle with old friends and make new ones. Enjoy what hopefully will be a glorious fall day as one community, making new memories together at the Vero Beach Centennial Celebration Finale.
Centennial Celebration Finale
Schedule of Events
(times approximate)
- 9 to 10 a.m.: Halloween Parade assembly at Freshman Learning Center, with costume judging
- 9 a.m. to noon: Swingsation’s Studios Joe Tessier will D.J. at the Parade Reviewing Stage at 14th Avenue and 21st Street.
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Historic displays, slideshows, videos, live music and antique cars at the Old Vero Beach Railroad Station
- 9 to 6 p.m.: Food trucks and Beer Garden along 21st Street
- 10 a.m. to noon: Centennial Parade from Vero Beach High School through downtown to just north of the Old Vero Beach Railroad Station
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Trick or Treating at variety of downtown merchant locations
- Noon to 12:15 p.m.: Radio personalities Hamp Elliott and Bob Soos will be at Pocahontas Park Stage
- Noon to 4 p.m.: Sponsor, informational booths at Citrus Museum and Heritage Center
- 12:15 to 1 p.m.: Act 1 – Jordan Thomas Odyssey! at Pocahontas Park Stage
- 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: Dabble in Color Centennial Painting Sweepstakes (Group A) at Heritage Center
- 1 to 1:30 p.m.: Act 1 – Guild on the Go at Heritage Center Stage
- 1:10 to 1:45 p.m.: Founders Program at Pocahontas Park Stage
- 1:45 to 3 p.m.: Act 2 – Jordan Thomas Odyssey! at Pocahontas Park Stage
- 2 to 3 p.m.: Dabble in Color Centennial Painting Sweepstakes (Group B) at Heritage Center
- 2:15 to 2:45 p.m.: Act 2 – Guild on the Go at Heritage Center Stage
- 3:45 to 4:30 p.m.: Act 1 – BeatleBeat at Pocahontas Park Stage
- 4:30 to 5 p.m.: Act 3 – Guild on the Go at Pocahontas Park Stage
- 5 to 6:30 p.m.: Act 2 – BeatleBeat at Pocahontas Park Stage