The Festival is Historic Downtown’s annual heritage observation. It was first celebrated in 1994 to commemorate the spirit of courage that has revived downtown from disasters since the late 1800s. Although there are stories referencing a flood in 1897, the earliest recorded disaster was in 1902 when the Flint River crested at 25 feet. The levee was built to retain Beaver Creek following the 1948 flooding of the business district. In 1958 the levee was engineered three feet above 1929’s 26.3 foot record, but it was no match for 1994’s 30 foot crest which poured Beaver Creek into downtown's historic buildings.

Initially called the “Flood Festival,” it was established by the Montezuma Merchants Association when the “Flood of the Century” receded and left waterlogged stores and ruined inventory. The Festival was launched to help raise capital to support the rehabilitation of historic downtown and the Railroad Depot. The annual celebration is held in Charlie Jackson Unity Park—a once thriving city block reduced to rubble by fire. A volunteer squad cleared the ashes and had a stage, arbors, a wall of fame, and a phoenix fountain installed. The fountain and park symbolize the community's commitment to historic preservation and revitalization.

Chairperson Cynthia Carter expects nearly 4,000 visitors and citizens to attend the festival and raise funds to preserve the cultural resources and heritage that keep downtown strong. Vendors will be filling downtown Montezuma with a “Fair Aroma” and serving up Papa’s Pizza, funnel cakes, cotton candy chicken strips baskets, Philly beef subs, chicken Philly subs, barbeque sandwiches, nachos, taco cups, elephant ears, fried pickles, corn dogs, potato chips on a stick, baked goods, fish, homemade jellies & jams, fried peanuts, fried pork rinds, fried pecans, turkey legs, ribs, chicken, soul food and boiled peanuts.

The grand finale is a duck race fundraiser hosted by the Chamber of Commerce to rekindle the spirit of revival required to recover from disaster. A flock of colorful ducks will be launched by the Montezuma Fire Department into Beaver Creek at 2:45 to race downstream to the finish line at the North Dooly Street Bridge. Spectators can cheer the ducks on from the walking trail on the levee. The first duck to cross the finish line earns $1,016, while the next nine contestants are awarded many valuable prizes. The last duck out of the creek gets a consolation prize of $116. The race is emceed by WMAZ Channel 13's popular news anchor, Duck Master Frank Malloy. Proceeds of the duck race fund scholarships for Macon County High School graduates.

Vendor applications are available from www.downtownmontezuma.com or by contacting Camille Bielby at the Montezuma Downtown Development Authority by email (dda@montezuma-ga.org) or telephone (478) 472- 4777. Each vendor space rents for $30 without electricity and $40 with electricity. Space preferences will be honored in the order in which payment is received. Each booth space is 10' x 10' and does not include tables, chairs or a tent. Applications are subject to availability and approval by the Beaver Creek Festival Committee and must be submitted by October 8, 2010. Application fees are non-refundable after October 15, 2010. Complimentary spaces for civic organizations are only available for informational and educational exhibits, based on availability and at the discretion of the Festival Committee.