Orange County Blockbuster & Special Events
Eatonville Rising: A Blockbuster Cultural Event
This project is funded in part by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program.What is a Blockbuster Special Event?
Orange County’s Definition
Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs defines a “Blockbuster Special Event” as an arts and cultural event that:
Sustains exceptional and widespread popularity and achieves enormous public participation
Results in regional, statewide, and national or international attendance of at least 50,000
Includes significant participation with local arts organizations, collaboration with and among local arts and culture providers
Is financially feasible, providing details of process, finances, and impact
Proposers must have a demonstrated background of successfully handling significant events
The Mission
The Blockbuster & Special Events Fund exists “to encourage marquee arts and cultural blockbuster events in Orange County” that drive tourism, economic development, and cultural excellence.
How Eatonville Rising Qualifies
Meeting Every Criterion
Exceptional Popularity & Public Participation
Six milestone events
spanning August-
September 2027
Projected 50,500+ total attendees across all events
Multi-generational programming appealing to diverse audiences
National significance
as America’s first Black
town celebration
Regional, National & International Attendance
Middle school competition drawing teams from across the United States
International academic conference attracting
scholars globally
Pan-African cultural
expo appealing to
diaspora communities
Exhibition drawing art enthusiasts nationally
Heritage tourism attracting visitors from around the world
Local Arts Collaboration
Partnership with Orlando Science Center (Pompeii exhibition model guidance)
University partnerships including UCF venues
and programming
Local arts organizations throughout Central Florida
Community engagement
with Eatonville residents
and businesses
Financial Feasibility
$1.3 million Orange County commitment over three years
$600,000 confirmed matching funds from Finalis partnership
Additional sponsorships and partnerships in development
Detailed budget planning and financial projections
Proven revenue model based on 37 years of successful programming
Financial Feasibility
37 consecutive years of ZORA! Festival production
1+ million total attendees served over festival history
National recognition as cultural tourism leaders
Successful partnerships with major artists, scholars, and institutions
Track record of complex event management and execution
The Orange County Investment
$1.3 Million Over Three Years
Funding Structure:
FY25: $689,261 – Marketing, Cultural Heritage Tourism Experts
FY26: $450,935* – Marketing (contingent on performance)
FY27: $159,804* – Marketing (contingent on performance)
Years 2 and 3 funding contingent on event performance, reporting, compliance, and sufficient fund balances in the Blockbuster and Special Events fund.
Strategic Investment Areas
Year 1 (FY25) Focus:
Marketing and brand development for Eatonville Rising
Cultural heritage tourism expert consultation
Foundation building for 2027 milestone events
Community engagement and partnership development
Years 2-3 (FY26-27) Focus:
Event marketing and promotion
Visitor attraction and tourism development
Media campaigns and public relations
Legacy programming and documentation
Thank You, Orange County
Orange County’s $1.3 million investment in Eatonville Rising represents more than funding—it’s a partnership in preserving American history, celebrating cultural excellence, and building a more inclusive future.
Together, we are not just presenting events—we are creating legacy.
