DOWNLOAD 2026 CRACKER FAIR VENDOR FORM HERE
Join us Tuesday, January 27 at 7pm at the Historic Green Street Church for
the Story of the Placida Bunk House
John Valickas is a dedicated advocate for the restoration and return to Placida of the little building that is known as the Placida Bunk House. It was built around 1907 to house railroad workers as the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad was being constructed to bring phosphate ore to Port Boca Grande. John will tell its story and that of the railroad, the fishing industry and the generational families that built our region.
He will also discuss the possibility of beginning a fund raising campaign to restore this unique property that is currently in serious danger of being lost. That’s Tuesday, January 27 at 7pm at the Historic Green Street Church, 510 S. Indiana Ave., Englewood. Admission is free but donations will be sincerely appreciated.
- $35.00 per 10 x 1 0 Booth Space in Vendor Display Area
- $95.00 per Assigned Space for Food Vendors
- $15.00 per 10 x 10 Booth Space in Non-Profit Org. Display Area
Reserve your space early before they sell out.
DEADLINE: January 31, 2026
DOWNLOAD & PRINT BOOTH RESERVATION FORM HERE
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LEMON DESSERT BAKING CONTEST
Zesty Lemon Treats: Turn the Sour into Sweet!
The LEMON DESSERT BAKING CONTEST is sponsored again this year by the GFWC Rotonda West Woman’s Club
DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM HERE
We are pleased to present the following line-up of live, local entertainment on the Dignam Family Stage at Pioneer Plaza:
Returning to our stage is James Hawkins. He is a singer & songwriter from Venice, Florida. For about 10 years he has knocked around the Florida Folk scene performing in many different venues from coffee houses to a couple of concert halls. Some folks have described his music as a mix of Woody Guthrie and Harry Chapin but we will leave that judgment up to you. James has performed on Sarasota radio WSLR 96.5. His major project is called “Turn Back Time” which deals with Florida History through stories and songs. His specialty is crafting and performing songs about our rich Lemon Bay Area history. A perfect fit for a Celebration of Old Florida!
We are pleased to welcome back John Tuff featuring good old-time country music, the kind many of us grew up with on the radio; music of legends, such as Johnny Cash, Hank Snow, Ernest Tubb, George Jones, Johnny Horton, and more. Good music, good times and great fun! Get ready to lift your spirits and travel back to the good old days!
VINYL RECALL Band
Vinyl Recall is a Englewood based trio of bass, guitar and drums that plays an eclectic mix of classic rock, pop and unique selections.
John Munn arrived in Englewood in 2016. Love of music started early in this one in choirs and musical theatre. He picked up the bass at age 13. In Englewood, he created and hosted both Groovin’ In The Gallery (An Open Mic) in 2018 and Wednesdays@5 (Community Supported Weekly Concert Series) in 2023. The Vinyl Recall Band was his first band, which continues to book gigs. He also has a tribute band called Desperados: A Tribute To The Eagles which is booked in the Englewood/Venice area.
Silvano Stasolla is an Italian musician/singer-songwriter whose passion for music dates back to the late 60s. In 1977 he joined an international traveling band, touring Europe, playing drums and guitar and recording music for 22 years. In 1998 he moved to CT where he was a member of a gospel rock band for 8 years. In 2022 he came to FL and joined the music scene in Englewood with different groups like Desperados and Vinyl Recall. He also has a YouTube channel where he posts all his music videos.
Joe Licinski is an Englewood, Florida-based percussionist and educator with decades of experience performing across a wide range of musical genres including Broadway & Big Band, Blues, Jazz and Rock and Roll. Licinski founded Drums of Unity to bring the community together through rhythm and music therapy and features hands-on drum circles using authentic African djembe drums. He takes his program to local institutions like public libraries, senior living centers and community centers. He plays regularly at WEDNESDAYS@5, and with DESPERADOS and Vinyl Recall bands.
TANNER LEGZ Band
Craig Manning is a Massachusetts guitarist who winters in Englewood. He plays both electric and acoustic guitars in many styles, including finger-style, rock and jazz, smooth jazz, country, Gypsy, folk and bluegrass, and uses open tunings frequently. He began playing at the age of 12, listening to Chet Atkins, the Ventures, and Duane Eddy.
Jeff Cowherd is originally from N. Kentucky and began as a singer & guitar player in grade school, playing Top 40-ish tunes. At 21 his musical genres changed to Christian rock. Then 10 years later he joined a Bluegrass band that needed a mandolin player. He was shown a few chords and fell in love with the instrument, which led Jeff to eventually create the “JBovier” mandolin brand. Over the next 30 years he performed in the Greater Cincinnati area only on the mandolin “family” of instruments. After moving to Englewood in 2019, he continued playing mandolin & singing with many Englewood area musicians & bands. In 2022 he began as a soloist… back on guitar.
Renee Wold started on piano and guitar in the 3rd grade then focused on the cello in her junior and high school years in Fargo, ND. She played in Grand Forks ND, Itasca MN and Bemidji MN orchestras for more than 30 years, as well as string quartet and ensemble groups. Since moving to Englewood, FL in 2017 she has played cello in a variety of music genres: pop, rock, country, folk and blues, with groups such as Off The Cuff, Shark Sisters, Classy Notes and Green Street.
Renee plays an acoustic cello and an electric 5 string cello/bass.
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Our own Esther Horton has been granted the Lillian Burns Individual Achievement Award!
The Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation (SAHP) has announced that Esther Horton has been granted the Lillian Burns Individual Achievement Award. This award honors sustained personal leadership that advances historic preservation in Sarasota County. “We are proud to shine a spotlight on the extraordinary efforts of these award winners,” said Dave Baber, chairman of the SAHP board of directors. This recognition celebrates Esther’s decades of service, advocacy, and educational programming in the Englewood and Lemon Bay community, including her leadership in protecting significant historic resources and expanding public appreciation for local history. The award will be officially presented to Esther at the Heritage Awards Dinner on April 30, 2026. Esther has served as a charter member, past President and current Vice President of the nonprofit Lemon Bay Historical Society which owns and maintains Englewood’s first church building, now called the Green Street Church/Museum built in 1928.
Our Mission: “perpetuating the legacy of the past and honoring the pioneer settlers of the Lemon Bay area.”
The Green Street Church
Englewood’s first church was originally on Green Street in Englewood. Built in 1928 by the Methodist congregation, this building, recognized by the Sarasota County Register of Historic Places, was moved and saved by the Lemon Bay Historical Society. Still known as “The Green Street Church” the iconic building is now located next to the historic Lemon Bay Cemetery at 510 S. Indiana Ave., Englewood.
The Historical Society is responsible for maintaining the Historic Green Street Church building and its property. These expenses include lawn mowing, water, electricity, landscaping maintenance, insurance, taxes and building upkeep.
Help us maintain this historic landmark and help us continue our Community Outreach with lectures & presentations at the church and our gift to the community: the annual Cracker Fair.
Whether you help through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, thank you.
We couldn’t accomplish our goals without the help of supporters like you.
CLICK THE BUTTON TO DONATE VIA CREDIT CARD
If you prefer, you can mail your tax-deductible donation to:
Lemon Bay Historical Society,
P. O. Box 1245,
Englewood, FL 34295
Thank you!
NEW PHOTO GALLERY: Our Events Through the Years
HISTORY OF THE GREEN STREET CHURCH (click here)
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NOTE: We are now booking weddings and meetings at the Green Street Church building.
For information call (305) 504-7220.
Leave a message and we will get back to you.
Click Here for More Information
You can also contact us by mail at the above address.
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Logo Designed and Carved by Robert Cashatt, 1993
(Painting by Carmichael, 1990)