Cracker Fair 2023

SPONSORS

PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

MUSIC

BAKING CONTEST INFO–MEET THE JUDGES!

DOWNLOAD LEMON DESSERT BAKING CONTEST ENTRY FORM

  • Organized by the Lemon Bay Historical Society, annual Cracker Fairs are our gift to the community.
  • Admission is free. The Fair will run from 10am to 4pm.
  • Lemon Dessert Baking Contest sponsored by Lemon Bay Woman’s Club
  • There will be food vendors, live performers, crafts, demonstrations, authors and artists.
  • Watch the Bit of Hope Ranch give a whip-cracking demo
  • See and learn about animals brought by the Peace River Wildlife Center.
  • The CRACKER FAIR is the culmination of “Lemon Bay Fest,” February 4 – 11, a full week of local history events presented by the Englewood libraries. View the library schedule here.
The Cracker Fair is the culmination of the Lemon Bay Fest, a week of celebrating Englewood’s history produced by the 2 Englewood libraries. The Fair is also a fund-raiser for our community programs and our mission to preserve the fascinating history of the Lemon Bay area. 
We are pleased to present the following line-up of live entertainment on the new Dignam Family Stage at Pioneer Plaza:

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.

SPONSORS:

Key AgencyJeff Joyce ASB Dog Trainer
Michael J. LooneyWilliam Airey
Robert & Aileen CapozziMerrill’s Heating & A/C
Venice Pest ControlLemon Bay Woman’s Club
Southern Mower & TrailerXpertech Auto Repair
Lasbury-Tracy RealtyEnglewood Bank & Trust
Englewood CRAEnglewood FL Chamber of Commerce
StyleCraft CabinetryJessica K. Close ESQ
Suncoast Central RealtyBilly Kimberlin Roofing
Brian Faro Paradise ExclusiveHinck Private Wealth Management
Justin & Kimberly StiverAmy Gonzales Michael Saunders & Co
Janet Shawen Paradise ExclusiveMike Douglass Plumbing
Castle AirDebbie McClure
Dr. Kenneth LoundersA-1 Auto Care
Pope InsuranceMary Brown
Douglas P. IzzoWampler Varner Insurance Group
Joe Maxx CoffeeTony Babington, Paradise Exclusive
Prop it Up Photo BoothsR.J. Labadie Construction
A Better Scoop Ice CreamFlorida Home Mortgage / Xavier Financial
Jim Litton / Michael Saunders & CoThoroughbred Golf Carts
Island Air ConditioningFarlow's on the Water

 

CRACKER FAIRS THRU THE YEARS: Photos & Videos

Cracker Fair 2018

CLICK FOR LARGER VIEW
FIDDLE CRABS
JOHN TUFF & FRIENDS
BIT OF HOPE RANCH DEMONSTRATION



We thank our 2018 Cracker Fair Sponsors! Please support them:

OLDE VILLAGE PUBLIX
PIONEER DAYS COMMITTEE
RON A. SMITH INSURANCE

 

Sarasota County Community Redevelopment Agency

Thanks to all who helped make the 2018 CRACKER FAIR a success!

We are proud to list, in no particular order, the vendors, artists, merchants and organizations who were at the 16th Annual Cracker Fair: Variety, Food, Fun and new discoveries.

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

Cracker Fair 2020

A LOOK BACK TO 2020

18th ANNUAL CRACKER FAIR SPONSORS
These great businesses and organizations helped make the Cracker Fair possible. Please visit them. Shop local!

Arts Alliance of Lemon Bay Inc.

Tony Babington Realtor Keller Williams

Bigfoot Cooling and Heating

Brian Faro Paradise Exclusive Real Estate

FPL

Ivy’s On Dearborn

Jeff Joyce A Sound Beginning

Key Agency, Inc.

Lasbury – Tracy Realty

Lemon Bay Garden Club

Michael J. Looney Electrical Contractor

Joe Maxx Coffee Company

Merrill’s Heating & Air Conditioning

Olde Village Publix

Pioneer Days Committee

Pope Insurance

Sarasota County Community Redevelopment Agency

Janet Shawen PA Paradise Exclusive Real Estate

Jonathan Varner Wampler Insurance & Financial Group

The Windsor of Venice

 

On February 8, 2020, the 18th Annual Cracker Fair, a celebration of Old Florida, was held at  Dearborn Street Plaza. Organized by the Lemon Bay Historical Society, it is our gift each year to the community. Admission is free. The Cracker Fair is the culmination of the Lemon Bay Fest, a week of celebrating Englewood’s history. The Fair is also a fund-raiser for our community programs and our mission to preserve the rich history of the Lemon Bay area. 
There are food vendors, live entertainment, crafts, demonstrations, authors, artists and activities for children. In past years attendees enjoyed lemon desserts, sampled swamp cabbage, watched the Bit of Hope Ranch give a whip-cracking demo, learned how to throw a cast net and interacted with animals brought by the Peace River Wildlife Center. Become a Sponsor of the Fair to help celebrate our historic Englewood community!
The Society is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation founded in 1985. Our purpose is to preserve Englewood area’s history and to educate the public about our past through our programs, books, and open houses. One of our latest and most successful area restoration projects was saving the Historic Green Street Church by moving it from leased land to property we own on Indiana Ave.
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (1-800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. OUR REGISTRATION NUMBER IS CH49480. www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com.

Cracker Fair 2019

Food Vendors, Artists, Authors, Local Merchants, Crafts, Music, and more

Kids Zone 

 Lemon Dessert Baking Contest

Located in Pioneer Plaza, Dearborn Street, Englewood, Florida.

Delicious lemon desserts in the Baking Contest served by the Lemon Bay Garden Club
Why lemons? They played a role in Englewood since 1894 when the Nichols brothers purchased 2000 acres of property to develop a town with surrounding lemon groves. The land sold for $30 an acre. If you were interested in a 1-acre home lot, you had to also purchase a 10-acre grove lot. Unfortunately, 2 hard freezes in 2 consecutive years doomed the lemon crops.

The 2019 CRACKER FAIR was pleased to present the following musical artists:

We are pleased to have John Tuff and Friends return again this year. Enjoy the very best in Classic Country Music!

 

New to the CRACKER FAIR is singer-song writer DOUG BURNS. He’ll be doing Americana and Alt-Country styles of music with inspiration from the likes of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Social Distortion, Guy Clark (and so many more). His sound is unique and fresh with one foot in the past and one in the future.

 

A unique experience will be on hand when James Hawkins performs on our sound stage. James specializes in crafting and performing songs about our rich local history. A perfect fit for the CRACKER FAIR.

CLICK PHOTOS FOR LARGER VIEW:

CRACKER FAIRS THROUGH THE YEARS


(CLICK FOR LARGER VIEW)


CLICK TO SEE THE 2018 CRACKER FAIR HIGHLIGHT VIDEO


A great crowd on a great day at last year’s Fair watching a whip cracking demonstration by Isabella Park from the Bit of Hope Ranch. (See video below.)
Cracker whip demonstration by Isabella Park of Englewood’s Bit of Hope Ranch
John Tuff and Friends are back with great county music.

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