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| February 12, 2008 |
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Two "F" words that are all right to use are the words February and Festivals. This is the perfect time to use the two words in the same sentence. Here are some festivals for you to enjoy in February:
In North Central Florida, this coming weekend the Civil War lives again and again on Saturday, Feb. 16 and Sunday, February 17 with 32nd Annual Re-enactment of the Battle of Olustee. Saturday's Battle begins at 3:30 p.m. and Sunday's Battle is at 1:30 p.m.
More than 2,000 living history reactors will gather for this event at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park located on U.S. 90, 15 miles east of Lake City and 50 miles west of Jacksonville.
On Feb. 20, 1864, Florida's largest Civil War Battle took place at Olusstee with 2,807 casualties and a Confederate victory.
To go along with the re-enactments, Lake City hosts the 30th annual Olustee Battle Festival on Feb 15, 16 & 17. See their web site: www.olusteefestival.com. Marion Street in downtown Lake City is location of the Festival and Craft Show.
In Southeast Florida, turn back the clock 500 years at the Florida Renaissance Festival in Deerfield Beach, just north of Fort Lauderdale. See jousting tournaments. Stroll along and hear minstrel musical performances. Be there for sword fights. Taste food cooked they way they liked it in the Middle Ages (that would be life before microwaves).
The Festival Web site is: www.ren-fest.com. You have plenty of chances to delve into the Renaissance as the Festival dates cover five weekends, starting on Feb. 9 and going through March 9. Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach (see map) is the location.
You can take a Broward County bus to the park (Transit Route #14). To know more, visit their Web site: www.broward.org/bct. Taking the bus gives you a $3 discount off the Festival admission price for an adult.
In Central Florida, the Orlando Wetlands Festival is a one-day event on Saturday, Feb. 23 from 9-3 near Fort Christmas Park in Christmas, Florida, east of Orlando off S.R. 50. There will be guided bird walks, guided photo shoots and lots of chances to see wetlands. Their Web site is: www.nbbd.com/festivals/orlandowetlands
Finally, save some room for strawberries. The much-anticipated Florida Strawberry Festival starts Thursday, Feb. 28 and runs through March 9. Plant City does the honors. Plant Cityis located between Tampa and Orlando and has been hosting this festival since 1930.
Think fresh strawberries. Think strawberry shortcake. Think delicious. Their Web site is: www.flstrawberryfestival.com |
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| A reenactiment photo from the 2006 Battle of Olustee reenactment. |
| Credit: Michael B. Strivelli for Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park |
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