Thousands attend Indian River Magazine's History Festival

Thousands of people attended the first Treasure Coast History Festival held in downtown Fort Pierce over the weekend and sponsored by Indian River Magazine.

Attendees visited historical exhibits, met with local authors or packed the Sunrise Theatre Black Box for one of five historical presentations.

The festival was co-sponsored by Main Street Fort Pierce and the Sunrise Theatre. Indian River Magazine presented the festival as part of its 10th-anniversary celebration. The historical presentations featured principals from history stories that the magazine had published over the last decade.

"We were overwhelmed by the attendance and the response," said Indian River Magazine Publisher Gregory Enns. "It's evidence that both Treasure Coast residents and visitors really care about the history of the area."

Those attending also were eligible to register for a free drawing. Marta Frats of Port St. Lucie, Kristina McDearmont of Port St. Lucie, Georgan Charnes of Port St. Lucie, Laurie Blandford of Fort Pierce, Sandy Fontana of Vero Beach, Wendy Frieder of Vero Beach and Michelle McBidle of Fort Pierce will receive tickets to the Sunrise Theatre. Kenneth Drake of Harpswell, Maine, will receive a free Indian River cap and t-shirt. Rebecca Fair of Vero Beach and Duane Duncan of Micco, Fla., will receive gift certificates and Susan Garrett of Clarkston, Ga., and Jarret Saver of Vero Beach will receive Yetti cooler cups from East Coast Lumber/Ace Hardware in Fort Pierce.