Celebrate History, Music and Community in DeFuniak Springs

The UWF Historic Trust and Defuniak Landmarks are thrilled to announce the inaugural Summit on the Circle, a weekend-long event celebrating history, connection, conversation and Southern hospitality on the banks of beautiful Lake DeFuniak. Residents, visitors and attendees of all ages are invited to join the event occurring April 4-6, 2025, for a memorable experience filled with music, art, insightful discussions and delicious food.

The Summit on the Circle offers a diverse program perfect for history buffs, music lovers and Florida locals seeking a relaxing and enriching weekend. Attendees will enjoy live performances, including the Opera Cowgirls and Tim Jackson, engaging presentations from experts like Brent Hull, Chef Irv Miller and Yvonne LeBrun and delightful Southern fare, including a traditional pig roast.

Your Summit Ticket includes:

• FRIDAY, APRIL 4
  OPERA COWGIRLS
  6:30-8:00 PM | Chautauqua Theater, 840 Baldwin Ave, Defuniak Springs, FL 32435. Parking is available right outside the venue.

  AFTER PARTY WITH PERFORMERS 
  8:15 PM | Sweet Southern Comfort Cafe

  SATURDAY, APRIL 5
  CHECK IN & WELCOME (coffee & refreshments provided)
  8:00 – 9:00 AM |  Chautauqua Hall, 95 Circle Dr, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435. Parking is available at a small lot across the street and along the Circle.

  PINHOLE PHOTOGRAPHY SYMPOSIUM (with Yvonne LeBrun)
  9:00 – 10:00 AM | Tent

  SOUTHERN CONVERSATIONS  (with humorist Shelby Hofer)
  9:00 – 10:00 AM | Chautauqua Hall

  WHAT MAKES HISTORIC HOUSES SPECIAL (with Brent Hull)
  10:00-11:00 AM | Chautauqua Hall

  LUNCH
  11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

  NEW CONSTRUCTION IN HISTORIC DISTRICTS (presented by Brent Hull)
  1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Chautauqua Hall

  CULINARY CONVERSATION (Gulf Coast Oysters with Chef Irv Miller)
  1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Tent

  SOUTHERN CEMETERIES EXPLORATION
  (History, care & preservation of Southern cemeteries)
  2:30-3:30 PM | Chautauqua Hall

  PINHOLE PHOTOGRAPHY SYMPOSIUM with Yvonne LeBrun (Session 2)
  2:30 PM – 4:00 PM | Tent

  SOUTHERN SOIREE (with pig roast and live music from Tim Jackson)
  4:30PM – 6:30 PM | Lake/Chatauqua Hall�

  SUNDAY, APRIL 6
  SOUTHERN SOCIAL ETIQUETTE SPOTLIGHT
  1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Chautauqua Hall�

  SOUTHERN SHORT STORIES (with humorist Shelby Hofer)
  3:00-4:00 PM | Pickett Gazebo, 676 Circle Dr. For those who cannot walk, a golf cart will be available as a shuttle between locations.

  CIRCLE STROLL WITH LIVE MUSIC & LIVE ART DEMONSTRATIONS
  (Artists include Ann Denson Tucker, Nancy Hayes, Jan Hannon and Allison Cox)
  2:30-4:30 PM | Porches Around Lake DeFuniak

Tickets are $50 for the full weekend of events. To see a full itinerary and to purchase tickets, head toHistoricPensacola.org/Summit.  For more information, emailDefuniakLandmarks@uwf.edu.

In this epsisode, we sit down with the legendary storyteller, preservationist, and force of nature herself—Diane Pickett. Diane is a woman who doesn’t just tell history—she shapes it.�

Her latest book,  The Teas Wasn’t Always Sweet, while marketed as fiction, is rooted in real-life events and serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of women’s progress.

Our discussion also delves into the importance of preserving Southern culture, history, and etiquette, with Diane emphasizing the loss of traditional courtesies in the digital age. She passionately speaks about the upcoming “Summit on the Circle” in DeFuniak Springs, a three-day event celebrating Southern heritage through live music, art demonstrations, storytelling, and even a pig roast. She highlights the significance of historic preservation, her partnership with the University of West Florida, and her vision for bringing cultural and economic revitalization to the town.

Listen on Apple, Spotify or wherever you stream audio.�