LaBelle Swamp Cabbage Festival This Week

Parades, Festivals, And Great Food Hits Streets This Week

LABELLE, FL. -- It's that time of year when the city of LaBelle puts on one of Southwest Florida's largest and most entertaining events. Visitors to Hendry and Glades county make the trek each year on the last full week of February to take part in the annual Swamp Cabbage Festival and more.

Here's what you and your family can see and do this week and through the end of February:

Tuesday, February 19 from 5 pm to 8 pm, the fourth annual "LaBelle Night On The Town" on Ft. Thompson Avenue, between Bridge and Main Streets. Sponsored by the Hendry County EDC and the Greater LaBelle Chamber of Commerce.

"18th Annual Old Timer's Dinner" Thursday, February 21 at the LaBelle Civic Center, sponsored by the LaBelle Heritage Museum. Tickets $20.00

Swamp Cabbage Festival - LaBelle, Parade 10 a.m. February 23 and activities in Barron Park through the 26th.

The cabbage palm, the state tree of Florida, is cut down for making decorations from the palm fronds for parade floats and booths, and the heart of the palms is cut out to make "swamp cabbage."

The Festival Parade travels south down Bridge Street (State Road 29) to Barron Park on the Caloosahatchee River at 10 a.m. Saturday. Festivities at the park include music, dancers, and vendors packing the park, while thousands mill the streets of LaBelle and quaint shops.

(Video: Scenes from 2012 Swamp Cabbage Festival At Barron Park and Parade down Bridge Street.)