Frequently Asked Questions

EVENT DATE: FEBRUARY 9, 2019, 10am-6pm


THERE ARE 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW:

1) Who is the Hamil★Fest for?

2) What can I expect at the Hamil★Fest ?

3) Will there be special guests?

4) Will there be vendors selling things?

5) Who was Alexander Hamilton?


6) Why is the Musical a big deal?

7) Where can I experience the musical play itself?

8) What is the theme?

9) Who benefits from the event?

10) Hamil★Fest is not affiliated with the official Hamilton musical nor any of its venues.

1) Who is the HamilFest for?

This FREE event will be loved by fans of the Broadway musical and/or Early American history, as well as fans of Broadway in general. Fun for all, regardless of age or race.

Based on the 2018 event, we expect 300-400 to attend. There were a good amount of adults, and a great many middle and high school age fans performing songs, dances, and lip-synchs in our talent show. This is a perfect event for theater students.

2) What can I expect at the HamilFest?

Enthusiastic fans will gather for sing-alongs with lyrics on the big screen, a talent show, and a costume contest with prizes. Fan panels will discuss the play and history scholars will answer your questions. Upon arrival, reserve a time for the Escape Room. Tea dueling, anyone? More about guests, vendors, and theming below.

Hamil★Fest is a family-friendly event held on a public college campus. Costumes, displays, and performances must be appropriate for family audiences. No weapons or prop weapons are allowed.

3) Will there be special guests?

Meet a woman who is part of Hamilton's real living family legacy - Mrs. Mary Anne Hamilton!

Rand Scholet, national speaker and founder of the Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society,

Prof. Sean Adams who teaches a class on Chernow's book at UF.

More to be announced.

Last time we had experts Mariana Oller of the Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society, and Tomas Ellis, a top authority on Lafayette.

4) Will there be vendors selling things?

Yes! We welcome themed craft vendors, dance schools, music stores, etc. to sell things and promote their business. See the Exhibitors Page for details.

5) Who was Alexander Hamilton?

He rose from being a poor, illegitimate orphan in the West Indies to becoming George Washington's right-hand man and first Treasury Secretary of the United States. Hamilton's obsession with building a lasting legacy was plagued with political battles, the nation's first sex scandal, and a culture in which pistol duels were all too common. Indeed, his reputation was buried for generations, but his legacy has finally risen as he dreamed, thanks to the biography by Ron Chernow and the Broadway hit by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

6) Why is the Musical a big deal?

The best thing about Hamilton is not the fact that it won 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, as well as a Grammy and a Pulitzer Prize. The most amazing thing is not how casting the Founding Fathers as people of color makes history come to life for people of all social backgrounds. What makes it great is how it inspires in every sense of the word. Hamilton translates a real-life story through music, lyrics, and dancing that excites the senses, the mind and the spirit in a way that will forever impact your life.

7) Where can I experience the musical play itself?

Tickets for this season's performances at Tampa's Straz Center, Broward Center for the Performing Arts (Ft. Lauderdale), and Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (Orlando) are mostly sold out. You can follow the Hamilton Fans In Florida group on Facebook where you may hear if any of our members have extra tickets.

8) What is the theme?

This event is based on real history and events, although they can be represented in contemporary style. Costumes are encouraged but not necessary. Wearing "A. Ham" baseball caps or military clothing could be a cool thing,

We'll focus on costume and exhibitor booths that reflect Colonial America / Revolutionary War, and Early 18th Century Europe. Picture George Washington. This was a period of tricorn hats, flintlock muskets, and powdered wigs. Expect to see ruffled shirts, ballgowns, crowned kings, and Betsy Ross flags.

This was NOT an era of armored costumes or mythological creatures.

9) Who benefits from the event?

Hamil★Fest is a non-profit event, by fans for fans of Hamilton. The goal of the event is to have fun and increase awareness of one of our country's most misunderstood Founding Fathers and his contemporaries.

Raffle sales for a charity fundraiser to be announced.

10) Hamil★Fest is not affiliated with the official Hamilton musical nor any of its venues.