3rd Annual Cracker Fair

A unique experience will be on hand when James Hawkins performs songs about our rich local history.
“I am a singer/songwriter from Venice, Florida. For about 10 years I have knocked around the Florida Folk scene performing in many different venues from coffee houses to a couple of concert halls.
“Some folks have described my music as a mix of Woody Guthrie and Harry Chapin but I leave that judgment up to you. I have a new radio called “Acoustic Waves” on WSLR 96.5.” James’ major project is called “Turn Back Time” which deals with Florida History through stories and songs and brings traditional Folk music and stories to the classroom.
Gottfried Creek is Bob Kinsley and Bill Keehne who hail from Ohio and Michigan and bring to us an eclectic mix of folk, bluegrass and 60s and 70 rock. They have performed at the Englewood Farmers Market, Lemon Bay Park and the Englewood Museum.
The name Gottfried Creek comes from pioneer settlers Otto and Ferdinand Gottfried who arrived here from Milwaukee in 1893 and lived in a palmetto shack located where New Comfort Road now intersects S.R. 776. Nearby they planted two acres of pineapples, cabbages and potatoes. Other family members soon joined them and circa 1900 they built a fine 2-story house on the creek that today bears their name.
Get ready to lift your spirits and travel back to the good old days. John Tuff & Friends started out over ten years ago. They performed all over Southwest Florida in a variety of venues featuring classic country music: music of legends, such as Johnny Cash, Hank Snow, Ernest Tubb, George Jones, Johnny Horton, and more, the kind of music many of us grew up with on the family radio.
We are pleased to have the wonderful talent of John Tuff and Friends return this year.
Established in 2020 Vinyl Recall is a three piece Eclectic Classic Rock band.
Paul Quinn has played guitar and sung for a number of years, and lives locally after having spent time in other states. Of necessity, he blends rhythm and lead playing, and tends to use his fingers, rather than a pick, for a different sound.
Jeff Dillon is a native Floridian and born in Venice. Jeff has been involved in the Performing Arts for 50 years. Drumming since his teens, he plays in a broad set of styles. He is pleased to be working with John, Paul, and Vinyl Recall.
John Munn has lived in Englewood since 2016. Love of music started early in this one in choirs and musical theatre. He picked up bass at age 13. He created Groovin’ In The Gallery open mic in 2018 at the Englewood Art Center that ran for a year and a half. Vinyl Recall is his first band and only band, so far.
Recall has played at Pop’s Sunset Grill, Tomahawk Tiki Bar @ CoolToday Park, Englewood Moose, Englewood Eagles Club, Englewood VFW, The Back Yard, Libby’s Sports Bar and Grill, Rumours Wine Bar, AllStar Bar and Grill, Salty Jim’s Bar and Grill. We are pleased to feature Vinyl Recall at this year’s CRACKER FAIR.
Pioneer Days Committee: Kids’ Free Arts & Crafts Tent
Catharina Bearse: pastel paintings
Angler Pocket Guides
FurBaby Beds
S&K’s Nice Stuff
Les Caraher, mountain music
John Tuff and Friends, classical Western music
Hazy’s What Knots
Shabby Chic Boutique
RJ Coons: Southwest Florida mysteries Blaine Sterling novels
D.L. Havlin: Florida action mysteries, historical fiction, thrillers
Brenda Spalding: adult mystery novels
Southern Yankee Foods
Jane Deutsch: painted visors, jewelry
Young Living Essential Oils
Artist Karen Dukes, LMC Outdoors
Uniqpottery
Glassy Lady Jewelry
925 Fabulous Jewelry
Mermaid Jewelry
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Trinkets & Treasures
Blasé Van Thomme: pens, key chains
Pat Vettese
Eden East
Wagon Wheel Décor
Pretty Girl Cosmetics
Morgan’s Goat Soap
Punta Gorda Historical Society: swamp cabbage
Peace River Wildlife Center: birds of prey
Susan Klaus: fantasies & thrillers; part owner of a thoroughbred horse farm
and cattle ranch
Clarissa Thomasson, Salt Marsh Publications: Florida historical fiction
Bob Fuqua: books, fossils, sharks teeth
Sarasota County Mosquito Management
Elsie Quirk and Charlotte Libraries
S.H.O.R.E.: fresh lemonade
Sarasota County Englewood Community Redevelopment Agency
Designs by Patrice
Sweet Leaf Relief (wellness foods)
Englewood Masonic Lodge 360
N&G Cornhole
Paradise Hot Dogs
G & E Concessions: funnel cakes, fresh fruit smoothies
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