Iconic ‘Jeannie’ Star Barbara Eden to Present Awards, Reminisce During Publix Florida Marathon
By Space Coast Daily // July 25, 2021
NOW 89-YEAR-OLD EDEN PLAYED 'JEANNIE' IN 1960S SITCOM SET IN COCOA BEACH
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Smooth Running, the producer of most of the Space Coast’s major participant sporting events, announced that Barbara Eden will be back on the Space Coast to present the overall awards to winners of February 13, 2022, Publix Florida Marathon and ½ Marathon.
Eden will also participate in a lively Q&A session on stage with former space correspondent John Zarrella as they reminisce about her days starring as one of television’s all-time favorite characters.
Attendance at this post-race event will be free and open to the public.
In addition to presenting overall winner awards and the Q&A, Eden will also help with final judging and present a signed replica “Jeannie Bottle” to the winner of a Jeannie Look-a-Like contest.
“Ms. Eden’s return to the Space Coast marks the first time the California resident has been here since 2015 and only the second time in more than 20 years,” said Smooth Running’s Mitch Varnes.
In her 2015 visit, Eden presented awards at the “I Dream of Jeannie” themed Ron Jon Cocoa Beach Half Marathon and hosted a performance at Melbourne’s Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy.
“I’ve always looked forward to coming back to the Space Coast, and I had an especially fun time there back in 2015 at the Cocoa Beach Half Marathon,” said Eden.
“I’m looking forward to being back there and again seeing fans and friends next February.”
Her return to Florida coincides with a four-stop theater tour called, “An Evening With Barbara Eden,” in which the then 90-year-old Eden recalls her favorite stories and times of more than seven decades of working in the Hollywood entertainment industry.
“I had been following Barbara’s activities via social media ever since we brought her in here in 2015 for the Ron Jon Cocoa Beach Half Marathon,” said Varnes.
“When I saw that she would be in Vero Beach the day before our Publix Florida Marathon Weekend, I reached out to her management to see if we could get her back in town, and they were receptive from the get-go.”
Entering its 14th year, the Publix Florida Marathon Weekend is one of Florida’s premier running races and Melbourne’s Signature Sporting event.
It features a Health & Fitness Expo, and run/walk distances of 5K, 10K and Half-Marathon. The Marathon is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying race.
CLICK HERE for information and registration. For more information and tickets for Ms. Eden’s Florida theater performances, including her February 12, 2022 show in Vero Beach, can be found via her website.
