Honoring our Past.

Embracing our Future.

Find an Event

Join us in celebrating 100 years of Gilchrist County—a community rooted in resilience, history, and togetherness. Our centennial celebration honors a century of shared stories, traditions, and progress in the heart of Florida’s natural beauty. Find an event today.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 22

Downtown Trenton
Trenton, FL

Suwannee Valley Quilt Festival

Mark your calendars now for our annual Suwannee Valley Quilt Festival. There will be lots of craft vendors, antique vendors, food vendors, antique tractors, demonstrations and of course QUILTS, QUILTS AND MORE QUILTS.
Load up your car or bus and come spend the day with us.

You can request an application by emailing angiecreates4@gmail.com
Or pick up at these locations.
*Forever Flowers & Gifts in Trenton

Source: https://www.facebook.com/SuwanneValleyQuiltFestival/

The 100-Year Feast

Join us for Gilchrist County’s signature centennial event.

BBQ from the Hart

Oct. 18th - Hart Springs Campground

This event will give out over ($5,000 in cash & prizes)

Cook Teams must compete in all 4 meat categories (chicken, ribs, pork shoulder, and beef brisket) to be eligible for the GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP prize & trophy.

We invite you and your family to come on out – The 3rd Saturday in October ,“Free General Admission” and enjoy a mixture of entertainment throughout the day.

In addition to the BBQ, the event features arts & crafts, a car show, A FREE KIDS ZONE filled with activities and crafts for all kids to partake in such as the DINO DIG, BUTTERLFY ENCOUNTER and much much more.

Food vendors, Craft Vendors first-responder vehicles on display, race cars, activities for the family, and great entertainment, including the “Jamie Davis Band”

Bell Christmas Parade

Details TBA

RSVP

September 20

Downtown Trenton
Trenton, FL

RSVP

October 18

Hart Springs Campground
Bell, FL

RSVP

December 6

Main Street
Bell, FL

RSVP

Celebrating Our Centennial

Gilchrist County was established in 1925, carved from the western part of Alachua County. Named in honor of Albert W. Gilchrist, Florida’s 20th governor, the county is rich in natural beauty, with the Suwannee and Santa Fe rivers running along its borders. The area was historically home to indigenous communities, and early settlers were drawn to its fertile land and abundant water resources.

Agriculture, particularly farming and livestock, formed the backbone of the county’s economy for decades, fostering tight-knit communities in towns like Trenton and Bell. Over the years, Gilchrist has maintained its rural charm and natural landscapes, including state parks, springs, and preserved forests, attracting nature enthusiasts from all over. Today, while honoring its agricultural roots, Gilchrist County is focused on sustainable growth, community development, and preserving its natural resources for future generations.