News Release

Pioneer Day Celebration in Brooksville Nov. 3

October 23, 2007
Contact: Kristin Wood 352-754-6722

In celebration of the spirited 19th century adventurers who settled Florida, the Chinsegut Nature Center in Brooksville will host its 12th annual Pioneer Day Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The family-oriented celebration is a festive exploration of Florida’s cultural and historical past.

Participants will see and learn how to continue the conservation legacy of Florida’s early settlers through demonstrations on recycling, composting and making the best use of native materials.

In addition, there will be a skillet-throwing contest, a kids’ sack race, a pie-eating contest, a pioneer costume contest and hand-cranked ice cream to sample. An authentic re-creation of a Seminole Indian camp will bring to life the spirit that was Florida in the 1800s. The festival will feature demonstrations of arts and crafts and other life skills developed by Florida’s first residents. Old-time music, featuring musicians dressed in pioneer-period costumes, will run throughout the day on three newly built stages. While the event is free, donations are appreciated to help support Chinsegut programs, including Pioneer Day.

Visitors will experience the age-old sights, sounds and smells of early peninsular existence, while listening to live music. Participants can ride on a horse-drawn wagon, see a blacksmith in action or use a two-man saw. They can also enjoy demonstrations of weaving, quilting, spinning and cooking on a hearth. Presenters will show how pioneers used medicinal remedies and practiced other survival skills.

In addition, visitors will learn about cider making, soap making, basket weaving and butter churning. An expert turkey caller will work a homemade box call.  The festival also will feature kettle corn and other period foods.

The Chinsegut Nature Center is on land once homesteaded by the Bishops, an honest-to-goodness pioneer family. The remnants of their 19th century dwelling still exist on the property. A Bishop family living history demonstration will add a pioneering perspective to the festivities.

Activities will occur throughout the day. Lunch and merchandise are available for purchase from exhibitors. In-service credit is available for teachers.

For an adventure into history, visit Pioneer Day at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Chinsegut Nature Center, seven miles north of Brooksville, one mile west of U.S. 41 on County Road 476. Additional parking, with shuttle service to the event, will be available at nearby Eden Baptist Church and Chinsegut Hill Conference Center.

For more information about Pioneer Day, visit MyFWC.com/chinsegut or contact the Chinsegut Nature Center at 352-754-6722.