Crowds Flood LaBelle Streets For Swamp Cabbage

Lots Of Fried And Sweet Foods, Lively Music In LaBelle This Weekend

LABELLE, FL. -- The largest Festival and Parade in Hendry and Glades county, Florida, always the last full weekend of February kicked off Saturday morning with the annual festival parade down Bridge Street in LaBelle.

This year's festival again featured a huge parade down Bridge Street to Barron Park on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River, music in the park, classic car show, and carnival rides for the kids and hundreds of food vendors.

The festival is named after the pulpy interior of Florida's State Tree, the Cabbage Palm. Unfortunately, the tree is killed to get to the pound or so of edible food. Most "heart of palm" is imported from Southeast Asia and available canned at specialty stores.

The festivities continue Sunday. (Video: scenes from the 2013 Parade and Festival and Classic Car Show at Barron Park in LaBelle)