By Nicole Hamel
On the Scene: 124th Annual GeorgeFest
Large crowds ventured to Ferran Park to experience the fun and festivities of the 124th Annual GeorgeFest, filling the park with excitement, music and community spirit. Families, friends and visitors from around the area gathered to take part in one of Eustis’ most popular annual traditions.
On Saturday, the crowd enjoyed live performances from musicians including Allen Stone, Kristopher James Band and Whosoever South, drawing cheers from attendees as they filled the park with energetic sounds throughout the evening.
Guests also explored a variety of food and drink vendors offering festival favorites, while carnival rides brought thrills and laughter to both kids and adults. One of the more eye-catching sights was George Washington on stilts holding the Declaration of Independence strolling through the crowd, stopping for photos and entertaining festivalgoers.
The lively celebration wrapped up with a fireworks display lighting up the night sky over Ferran Park, bringing the memorable evening of music, food and fun to a spectacular close. Check out all the photos:
Nicole, born and raised in Maine, is an award-winning photographer with more than 15 years of professional experience. After relocating to Kentucky, she began her career photographing military families and volunteering with several organizations, including Operation Homefront (Tennessee/Kentucky Chapter), the American Red Cross, and the Wounded Warriors Project. While living in Hawaii, Nicole worked as a historical photographer, documenting the Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam community and its surrounding areas. In 2015, Nicole settled in Florida and joined Akers Media Group as a freelance photographer.
Through dedication and consistent excellence, she advanced to Chief Photographer. Her contributions earned her MVP of the Year in 2020 and Employee of the Year in 2023, recognizing both her hard work and commitment to her craft. After eight years of working for Akers, she can now add published writer to her list of accomplishments. Outside of her professional work, Nicole enjoys spending time with her two children, Dylan and Olivia. Her interests include underwater photography, crafting, reading, gardening, traveling, and experiencing life firsthand.
