Festival blossoms at Mixon

MANATEE COUNTY — It’s not just spring that’s in the air — the fragrance of orange blossoms is too, and local citrus grower Mixon Fruit Farms is planning to celebrate.

The family-run orange grove will hold its second annual Orange Blossom Festival March 10-18.

“The trees have more blossoms this year than I ever remember,” said Janet Mixon, who owns the farm with her husband, Dean. “An orange blossom has a small blossom in it, and that grows into the next season of oranges. This year, (the trees) are blooming like crazy.”

The festival will kick off with the Mixon’s monthly Concert in the Grove with a performance from Shotgun Justice from 6-9 p.m., March 10. And from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., March 12-13, Mixon’s will have more than 60 crafters and food venders on site, as well as cows from Dakin Dairy, a petting zoo, wine tastings, musical, dance and other performances and more.

“We’re packed full of entertainment,” Mixon said. “It doesn’t cost anything to park or to get in and all the entertainment is free.”

Food and some activities for children, such as pony rides and a rock-climbing wall, require tickets, which cost $1 each. Most rides, Mixon said, cost between $2 and $5.

Mixon’s Orange Blossom Express tram tours through the groves, which includes stops at its Wildlife Education Center, also will be available as part of the festivities. Tours cost $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 3-10.

Festivities will conclude March 18 with a special Health and Business Expo. Nearly 70 businesses will be onsite from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., to share products and services with the public. Attendees will be able to drop off unused prescription drugs for disposal as part of the event and also participate in free health screenings, giveaways and door prizes.

This year’s Orange Blossom Festival will be the fourth family festival the Mixon’s have hosted since buying the family business in 2006.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

Mixon’s Orange Blossom Festival
WHEN: 6-9 p.m., March 10; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 11, 14-18; and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., March 12-13. Health and Business Expo runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 18.
WHERE: Mixon Fruit Farms, 2425 27th Street E.
INFO: 748-5829 or www.mixon.com