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The Crowley Museum and Nature Center brings frontier life to Sarasota with heritage festival

The 2021 Southwest Florida Heritage Festival celebrated frontier life on March 7.


  • By Harry Sayer
  • | 2:37 p.m. March 7, 2021
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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The Crowley Museum and Nature Center painted a vivid portrait of settler life with its annual Southwest Florida Heritage Festival on March 7. 

The annual event held at the museum grounds rebounded from a rainy first day with a lively festival that transported visitors to the old days of Florida, where settlers quilted, smithed, and created everyday items to live on the frontier. Volunteers and vendors dressed as settlers to put on fun shows, sell handmade items, and more.

Thomas Littrell, Rick Holgate and Paul Meador put on a show for guests.
Thomas Littrell, Rick Holgate and Paul Meador put on a show for guests.
Trez Cole smithed new shapes to an interested crowd.
Trez Cole smithed new shapes to an interested crowd.
Olivia Parrish and Crowley CEO Dixie Resnick
Olivia Parrish and Crowley CEO Dixie Resnick
Pat Wilson says she takes three to 10 hours weaving baskets.
Pat Wilson says she takes three to 10 hours weaving baskets.
David Sartwell went to work on splitting trees.
David Sartwell went to work on splitting trees.
Denise Miller-Olverson and Melanie Gebers embraced the old-time outfits.
Denise Miller-Olverson and Melanie Gebers embraced the old-time outfits.
Denise Miller-Olverson sold pottery.
Denise Miller-Olverson sold pottery.
Megan Frazier knitted a kimono
Megan Frazier knitted a kimono
Lara Rinehart had her gnomes on sale.
Lara Rinehart had her gnomes on sale.
Phil Pagano handled the popcorn.
Phil Pagano handled the popcorn.
Dayle Stevens, Andre Rischard and Eddie Rischard
Dayle Stevens, Andre Rischard and Eddie Rischard
Mark and Kristine Rudnick
Mark and Kristine Rudnick
Beth Kovach boiled cane water into syrup.
Beth Kovach boiled cane water into syrup.
Mike Heimsath was held up by Glen Yeater
Mike Heimsath was held up by Glen Yeater
Megan Frazier and Lauren Fritz knitted away.
Megan Frazier and Lauren Fritz knitted away.
Karl Rosebrock and Terry Evans
Karl Rosebrock and Terry Evans
Nathan Rakay and Francis Zamora
Nathan Rakay and Francis Zamora
Kinley and Bobby Judd
Kinley and Bobby Judd
David Brasgalla
David Brasgalla
Eric McGrath led people on tractor rides.
Eric McGrath led people on tractor rides.
Eric McGrath led people on tractor rides.
Eric McGrath led people on tractor rides.
Eva Bailey, Linda Coker and Eli Bailey
Eva Bailey, Linda Coker and Eli Bailey
Stacy Brown Jr. represented his Florida Skunk Ape Project
Stacy Brown Jr. represented his Florida Skunk Ape Project
Bonita Miller as Annie Oakley, Jan Bland as Calamity Jan and Sue Dannels as Bobby Sue Perrywinkle
Bonita Miller as Annie Oakley, Jan Bland as Calamity Jan and Sue Dannels as Bobby Sue Perrywinkle

 

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