Civilian Conservation Corps Festival: Celebrates Florida History and Culture
SEBRING, FL. -- Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring celebrated the 36th annual festival honoring the 1930s depression era Civilian Conservation Corps.
The festival Saturday showcased one of Florida first State Parks and celebrated the history, art, nature and music of early Florida, sharing traditions and skills across generations.
(Videos by Don Browne - Spinning Fibers, Water Pump)
The day long event featured the Sebring High Jazz and Concert Bands with concerts of big band music from the 1930s and 1940s throughout the day.
Other activities during the day included:
The day concluded with a Silent Auction of a Steel Alligator Sculpture by Blacksmiths Trez Cole & Tony Fenn.
The day long event featured the Sebring High Jazz and Concert Bands with concerts of big band music from the 1930s and 1940s throughout the day.
Welcome & Introductions were given by Morgan Tyrone, Park Manager, Carla Sherwin, Park Services Specialist, David Schmidt, CCC Museum Curator, Tony Juliano, Sebring High Band Director.
Returning CCC Boys, family members and honored guests including Darrel Smith, ‘The CCC Man’ and the unveiling of a new program on WPA murals which have been preserved in New Deal Era post offices throughout the state, including Charles R. Knight’s 1942 mural of saber-toothed cats and mastodons in a Florida hammock.
Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther by Florida Author Craig Pittman revealed the extraordinary tale of the battle to save the Florida panther from extinction and the array of heroes and villains who played a role in this epic saga.
Prehistory of Indigenous Peoples of Central Florida and an exhibit of Native American artifacts was presented by Archaeologist John Goss.
Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther by Florida Author Craig Pittman revealed the extraordinary tale of the battle to save the Florida panther from extinction and the array of heroes and villains who played a role in this epic saga.
Prehistory of Indigenous Peoples of Central Florida and an exhibit of Native American artifacts was presented by Archaeologist John Goss.
Custom Carriage Rides by Karen Tyrrell and her Clydesdale mare Lorna Doone.
Florida Highwaymen artists from Ft. Pierce and Vero Beach exhibited and sold their paintings.
Two master blacksmiths from the Florida Artist Blacksmith Association demonstrated the fine art of blacksmithing as they created a steel alligator sculpture.
Visitors took a step back in time at the Cow Camp Reenactment by a Lake Kissimmee State Park volunteer.
Antique Car Show highlights exhibitors firing up 100 year old engines and a vintage tractor.
Exhibitors included:
Florida Highwaymen artists from Ft. Pierce and Vero Beach exhibited and sold their paintings.
Two master blacksmiths from the Florida Artist Blacksmith Association demonstrated the fine art of blacksmithing as they created a steel alligator sculpture.
Visitors took a step back in time at the Cow Camp Reenactment by a Lake Kissimmee State Park volunteer.
Antique Car Show highlights exhibitors firing up 100 year old engines and a vintage tractor.
Exhibitors included:
Heartland Beekeepers
Country Girls Spinning
Florida Trail Association
The Nature Conservancy
Highlands County Audubon Society
Four historical societies from communities throughout the greater Heartland
Heartland Cultural Alliance and Highlands County Art League
Florida Forestry
Greenways and Trails
Peace River Wildlife Center wildlife rehabilitation
Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission black bear education
Wool spinning, quilting and other heritage demonstrators
Visitors could Engage in Highlands Hammock State Park and Archbold Biological Research Station nature exhibits touching and holding a live pine snake and seeing live owls up close.
Traditional games were demonstrated including cat’s cradle, hopscotch, jacks, tiddlywinks, pickup sticks, and marbles.
Children and adults alike were thrilled to take a ride on Bailey, a huge white draft horse, Catfish, the big bay and the tall brown mule named Mary Jane.
Country Girls Spinning
Florida Trail Association
The Nature Conservancy
Highlands County Audubon Society
Four historical societies from communities throughout the greater Heartland
Heartland Cultural Alliance and Highlands County Art League
Florida Forestry
Greenways and Trails
Peace River Wildlife Center wildlife rehabilitation
Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission black bear education
Wool spinning, quilting and other heritage demonstrators
Visitors could Engage in Highlands Hammock State Park and Archbold Biological Research Station nature exhibits touching and holding a live pine snake and seeing live owls up close.
Traditional games were demonstrated including cat’s cradle, hopscotch, jacks, tiddlywinks, pickup sticks, and marbles.
Children and adults alike were thrilled to take a ride on Bailey, a huge white draft horse, Catfish, the big bay and the tall brown mule named Mary Jane.
The day concluded with a Silent Auction of a Steel Alligator Sculpture by Blacksmiths Trez Cole & Tony Fenn.
Highlands Hammock State Park has more rare and endemic species than any other Florida State Park and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Highlands Hammock is known for its magnificent hammock, the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum and other New Deal Era structures. Visitors may walk the trails where the Florida panther and black bear quietly pass beneath towering oaks, and where visitors to the CCC Museum experience the Great Depression.
Hi. The name of my book is "Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther." https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335938800
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