The following
list of events is courtesy of Park Service Specialist Patrick Potts, Hillsborough River State Park. Thanks Patrick!
A ROAD BACK
IN TIME
Fort Christmas Historical Park
Christmas, Florida
Dates: Militia
Encampments are on the weekend before Easter and the weekend before Thanksgiving* Soldiers set up camp in front of the Fort and tell about the 2nd Seminole Indian War, Programs
at 12:30pm and 2:30pm in the Fort. Musket and cannon firing demonstrations.
Description: On December 25, 1837, a force of 2,000 U.S. Army Soldiers and Alabama Volunteers arrived near this
spot to construct a fort which was aptly named, Fort Christmas. This fort was only one of over 200 forts built during the
Second Seminole Indian War, 1835 -1842. The fort houses exhibits and a video presentation on the Seminole Indian Wars.
Directions:
Fort Christmas is located in Christmas, Florida just off State Road 50, twenty miles east of Orlando enroute
to Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and Canaveral National Seashore in Titusville.
Contact: Fort Christmas Historical Park
1300 Fort Christmas Road (C.R. 420)
Christmas, Florida 32709
Telephone: 407-254-9310
CANDLELIGHT EXPERIENCE AT FORT FOSTER
Hillsborough River State
Park
Dates: Friday & Saturday, December
7th & 8th, 2012: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Description: Historic Fort Foster brings
the holiday season on the Florida Frontier to life! Guests follow a lantern-lit trail through the military Fort, where they
encounter living history scenarios. Traveling musicians far from home play folk music to liven up the evening and guests enjoy
warm cider & cookies from the ladies from Ft. Brooke/Tampa. Seminole Natives gather across the bridge on the Hillsborough
River where they will lead you down a lantern-lit trail to visit a native encampment where you will hear _Back in Time stories
of native life in early Florida. A battle reenactment on Friday 12/7/12 and Saturday 12/8/12 will happen after 8:00 pm, as
the Seminoles try to burn the bridge and the soldiers defend it.
Fees: Public admission for this event is
a $5 donation per person ages 13 and over. 12 years and under free.
Contact: For more information call the
park at (813) 987-6870
Directions: http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortfoster/default.cfm
DADE’S
BATTLE
Dade Battlefield
Historic State Park
Dates: Friday & Saturday, January 5 & 6, 2013, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Description: While marching from Ft. Brooke (Tampa) to Ft. King (Ocala) in late December of 1835,
Major Francis L. Dade and 107 men were attacked and defeated by a superior force of Seminoles on this very site. The engagement
marked the start of the Second Seminole War, the longest and costliest Indian war in US history. Only two soldiers survived
to be witnesses, but YOU will be able to see it all: the authentically reproduced battle, cannon firing, tree cutting, barricade
building, muskets and tomahawks, soldier and Seminole camps, sutler trade fair, historic demonstrations, food and fun!
Fees: Public admission for this event is a $5 donation/person. 6 years old and under are free.
Special rates for Scout groups and for Military and First Responders in uniform.
Directions: From U.S. Hwy. 301 just
south of Bushnell, west on County Road 650 to parking area.
DAY IN FLORIDA HISTORY
De Leon Springs State Park
Date: Saturday, January
14, 2012, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Description: Highlights
of this exciting day include living history demonstrations and programs representing various periods in Florida's history,
including early Native Americans, Spanish, British, Seminole War, Pioneers, Plantation Life, Civil War, and a Cow Camp. Enjoy
live music and visit displays from local museums and historical societies.
**Reenactors, Demonstrators, and Presenters and will be provided with meals, firewood, and hay. Reimbursement
for black powder used in firing demonstrations is also available. Camping is permitted Saturday night for those who would
like to stay and enjoy the park.
Directions: De Leon Springs is located at the corner of Ponce de Leon Blvd. and Burts Park Road, west of US 17. Take US Hwy 17
north from Deland for approximately six miles, following the state park signs. Turn left onto Ponce De Leon Boulevard and
travel approximately one mile to the entrance to De Leon Springs State Park.
Contact: Brian Polk,
Park Manager 386-804-4003 Brian.Polk@dep.state.fl.us
Alafia RiverRendezvous
Homeland,
Florida
Dates: January 18 and 19, 2013
Description: The Alafia River Rendezvous is an annual gathering at which history buffs create and
live in camps to re-enact what life was like before 1840 in America during one of the periodic gatherings for pioneers, hunters,
Native Americans and merchants.
The participants, wearing period clothing, demonstrate the ways pioneers coped with
the hardships of life in that era. Re-enactors portray early inhabitants from various cultures, including Native American,
British, Irish, Scottish, French and Spanish, as well as American.
The event is sponsored by Florida
Frontiersmen Inc., a non-profit organization committed to "preserving the skills of our first settlers, pioneers and mountain
men in their use of muzzle-loading firearms and the equipment and accouterments that accompanied such use," according to the
club's website.
The event has become the largest privately operated rendezvous east of the Mississippi River. Organizers
bill the event as the largest pre-1840 historical interpretive encampment in the Southeast. Web Site:www.floridafrontiersmen.org
Directions: In 2013 the event will take place Jan. 18 and 19 at the end of Azalea Street in Homeland,
south of State Road 640, just west of U.S. 17-98.
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The Battle of Okeechobee Reenactment |
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Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park
Dates: February 2 & 3, 2013 |
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Description: On Christmas Day 1837, Army units, under the command of Col. Zachary Taylor, engaged
the combined Seminole Tribes in the largest Indian battle fought east of the Mississippi River. It was also the largest battle
of the Second Seminole War. The Okeechobee Battlefield received designation by the National Trust For Historic Preservation
in 2000 as one of America’s 11 most historic endangered lands due to encroaching development.
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Directions:
The Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park is on 38th Avenue,
on what was once cattle range. From the Treasure Coast: Take 70 West to intersection of 70 and 441 in Okeechobee City; turn
left onto 441 South and continue through Okeechobee to 441 S.E., turn left onto 441 S.E. and go approximately 1 mile and look
for signage. From West Palm Beach: Take 710 (also known as Bee Line Highway) to 70 West; take 70 West to intersection of 70
and 441 in Okeechobee City; turn left onto 441 South and continue through Okeechobee to 441 S.E.; turn left onto 441 S.E.
and go approximately 1 mile and look for signage. 3500 SE 38th Avenue, Okeechobee, FL. |
SCHOOL DAYS
AT FORT FOSTER
Hillsborough
River State Park/Fort Foster Historic Site
Dates: Wednesday, February 6th Thursday February 7th, Friday February 8th, 2013: 10:00 am -1:00
pm
Description: This “Back in Time” living history program will feature the military, Seminoles
and civilians along with a variety of craft demonstrations. A special time for students to enjoy a first person history lesson,
take a ranger-led tour of a Florida frontiers fort and interact with period Seminole natives. An opportunity to purchase period
merchandise & refreshments is available to your students.
The Fort Foster State Historic Site
is located adjacent to Hillsborough River State Park on U.S. 301 North, 9 miles north of Fowler Avenue and 6 miles south of
Zephyrhills.
Fees: Student admission for this special event is a $2 donation to Hillsborough River State
Park Preservation Society per student. There is no charge for teachers and chaperones.
Directions: http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortfoster/default.cfm
FORT FOSTER RENDEZVOUS
Hillsborough
River State Park/Fort Foster Historic Site
Dates: Saturday, February 9th, Sunday, February 10th, 2013- 10 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
Description:The Hillsborough River State Park will present this annual historical event at the Fort
Foster State Historic Site. This event is a living history reenactment featuring military, Seminole, and civilian reenactors,
sutlers, traders, and craft demonstrations. Registration forms are available online or by calling (813) 987-6870. An opportunity to purchase period merchandise & refreshments is available to our park visitors. Please
note: This weekend event will offer ongoing daily live firing demonstrations and a skirmish between the Seminoles and military
after 1:00 pm both days.
Directions: http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortfoster/default.cfm
Big Cypress Shootout, Billie Swamp Safari, Big Cypress Indian Reservation
Dates: February 23 & 24, 2013
Description: Seminole War Reenactment, Historical and Cultural Displays Highlight the Big Cypress Shootout. This event
will also include music, Seminole food, Seminole and pioneer artisans, tomahawk throws, primitive archery competition, Seminole
Stomp Dancing, authentic Seminole and soldier camps, venomous snake shows and alligator wrestling. “Period settlers”
from around the country will hew wood, iron and silver crafts and depict trading techniques from the Seminole war era.
Directions: Fort
Lauderdale and Naples, on the Big Cypress
Reservation just north of I-75 (Alligator Alley) Exit 49.
Experience
Florida History during Fort Cooper Days
Fort Cooper State Park
Dates: March 16 & 17, 2013 from 9:00AM to 4:00PM.
Description: The Second Seminole War re-enactments held twice daily at 11:00AM and 2:00PM, depict
events that took place during the construction of the Fort. Living History demonstrations will be held through out the day.
Also
park visitors will be able to see period Military and Seminole encampments, exhibits, period arts & crafts, entertainment
and food and refreshments. Dianne.Drye@dep.state.fl.us
Directions: Fort Cooper State Park is located
just off US 41, on South Old Floral City Road, two miles south of Inverness.
Fort Chokonikla Encampment,
Payne's Creek
Historic State Park
Dates: March 23 & 24, 2013
The historic sites include
the Fort Chokonikla site, Kennedy-Darling Trading Post site that can be viewed from the overlook on Payne Creek, and the Monument
site erected in honor of Captain George S. Payne, for whom the park was named, and Dempsey Whiddon, a store clerk.
Directions:
Take U.S. 17 to Bowling Green and follow the signs at
Main Street east to Lake Branch Road and the park.
888 Lake Branch Road
Bowling Green, Florida 33834
(863) 375-4717
Patrick Potts
Park
Services Specialist
Florida Division of Recreation & Parks
Hillsborough River State Park& Fort Foster Historic Site
15402
US 301 North
Thonotosassa, Florida 33592
