25th Annual India Festival at the Florida State Fairgrounds

Started by Dr. Kiran Patel, the 25th Annual India Festival, is a celebration of Indian culture in the Tampa Bay area.  The festival celebrates customs and traditions with an array of activities, such as a musical extravaganza featuring Bollywood stars, a cultural dance show performed by children and adults, and a wide variety of vendors including food, clothing, decor, and more.  For the first time, it will be a two day event, November 2nd and 3rd, and attract over 15,000 people from the Southeast United States.

The organizers want to welcome the public to attend the event and learn about Indian culture as well as discuss how they will be giving back to the community.  Due to its ongoing success and continued growth of the Indian population in the US, many cities now host their own India Festival.  However none so far surpass the magnitude of the India Festival which has become tradition for Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay and the Indian community.  India Festival has joined with several local agencies in the like Feeding America of Tampa Bay, Wounded Veterans, Under Privileged Kids and the Sheriff Departments of Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties.

FREE ADMISSION TO CRACKER COUNTRY DURING SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM MAGAZINE DAY

Mildred W. and Doyle E. Carlton Jr. Cracker Country, a living history museum at the Florida State Fairgrounds, is participating in the most highly anticipated event promoting history, culture, and the arts, Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day, Saturday, September 29th.  The program developed by the Smithsonian Magazine allows a visitor with a Museum Day Pass and one guest free admissions to the museum. Cracker Country, now in it’s fifth year participating in the program, has added more interactive exhibits for the guest to enjoy.

Experience a late 1800’s interpretation of a Cowhunter’s camp, where guests can hear stories about rural Florida cowhunting, and a demonstration on how to lasso.  Crafting in the time period will also be demonstrated by making fabric dolls.  Guests can design and stuff their own 1800’s style fabric doll to take home.  In addition, the original buildings will be open for the public to explore while listening to live dulcimer music.

“Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day is one of Cracker Country’s favorite events to participate in”, said Dan Marshall, Manager of Museum Operations in Cracker Country.  “We are expecting more in attendance with the Department of State’s Viva Florida 500 initiative having an effect on people’s interest in Florida history.”

Cracker Country will be open September 29th for the special event.  For Museum Day admissions visit the Smithsonian Magazine website at smithsonianmag.com/museumday and download a Museum Day Admission Card. This card will admit two guests inside Cracker Country for FREE.
General Pricing is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and children (6-12), children 5 years old and younger will be admitted for FREE.

Cracker Country seeks volunteers!

Mildred W. and Doyle E. Carlton, Jr. Cracker Country, a rural Florida living history museum located on the Florida State Fairgrounds, is seeking volunteers to help interpret rural Florida history all guests.  Volunteers will learn about 1890’s rural Florida, educate Tampa Bay area kids and adults about the time period, and participate in the 2013 Florida State Fair in February.

“We are very excited to open volunteer recruitment up to the public”, said Dan Marshall, Manager of Museum Operations at Cracker Country.  “This is such a great way to help Tampa Bay area youth and be involved in a fun, educational experience that is both rewarding and memorable.”

Cracker Country volunteers play an essential role in teaching the traditions of rural Florida. Volunteer opportunities include assisting staff with (1) the development and presentation of interpretive and educational programs; (2) the documentation, cataloging, and conservation of museum collections and library; (3) museum store operations; (4) the production of period correct hand-made items; (5) physical maintenance of buildings, exhibits and museum grounds; and (6) the maintenance of the museums living collection including heirloom gardens and heritage livestock breeds; and (7) the maintenance of model trains and animatronics.

Cracker Country was established in 1978 by Mildred W. and Doyle E. Carlton, Jr. so future generations could better understand and appreciate Florida's rural heritage. From the rustic cypress log corn crib to the grand old two-story Carlton house, Cracker Country features thirteen original buildings dating from 1870-1912. These buildings were moved to their present location from throughout the state, then restored and furnished with antiques of the period.

The Florida State Fairgrounds is located in Tampa, Florida.  In addition to holding the annual Florida State Fair, February 7-18, 2013, the Fairgrounds hosts a wide variety of other events throughout the year.  The fairgrounds cover over 330 acres, with many different types of buildings. The mission of the Florida State Fair Authority is to create positive entertainment experiences through a commitment to agriculture, education, and community service. 

For more information on Cracker Country events and volunteer opportunities, please contact Jennifer Becker, Programs Supervisor of Cracker Country Living History Museum at

Jennifer.Becker@freshfromflorida.com or 813-627-4225

Tampa Motorcycle Training - Learn from the Best!

Have you been dreaming of the open road? Feeling the wind on your face and the sun against your skin. Is this is your idea of Heaven?

With Tampa Motorcycle Training, their certified trainers will teach you the skills you need to get your motorcycle license in just one weekend.

Training classes will take place at the Florida State Fairgrounds on most weekends.

Check the event calendar at http://floridastatefair.com/component/jcalpro for scheduled dates.

To sign up call John at 813-907-1594

Don't wait another minute, there is no better time than now.

For more information go to www.tampanaturecoastmotorcycletraining.com

Old-Fashioned Quilts at Cracker Country

Saturday, April 16^th 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Textile arts were very popular in the 1890s. Families darned socks, sewed clothing, weaved rugs, fashioned fabric dolls, and knitted blankets on a regular basis. The textile arts were not only functional but also beautiful as seen in Cracker Country’s historic quilts. Come visit us on April 16th and see our historic quilts on display in our Governors Inn or try your hand at quilting in a quilting circle. Stop by the Smith House to make your own fabric doll or weave your own bookmark.

All guests will be able to participate in hands-on activities such as churning butter, making paper crafts, twisting rope, beating rugs, and helping us take care of our crops.

This program is an exceptional value, too! An adult admission ticket is $7.00 each; students six to twelve years old and senior citizens' tickets are $6.00 each. Children five and under are admitted free. Parking is free for this event when visitors enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance.

For more information about this exciting new program please contact Jennifer Becker, Program Supervisor, at 813-627-4225 or Jennifer.Becker@freshfromflorida.com.

Spring Home & Garden Show

Spring is in the air!

You're ready to spruce up the yard, and decorate the house, or perhaps you want to tackle that remodeling job.

This is your chance to save BIG! at the Spring Home & Garden Show.

From the kitchen to the garden, you can delight your senses, and enjoy a little one-on-one with the experts?

Over 900 exhibits of exciting new products and services under one roof in the Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

March 18th, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

March 19th, 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.

March 20th, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

This is a big show with great deals, and exciting ideas!

Lots of demonstrations and give-a-ways.

You too can have the custom home you have always dreamed of, inside and out!

Don't forget to visit Sweets Street, did I say there would be Chocolate?

Stop by Treats for Troops and find out what you can do to help.

Cracker Country Spring School Tours

It's Spring time at Cracker Country! School Tours have begun!

Surrounding area schools will be visiting Cracker Country ready to be immersed in the sights, textures, sounds, tastes and smells of the past.

Each group is led by a docent dressed in 1890's period clothing. Tours stop in the Blacksmith Shop, where they will watch a Blacksmith at work, learn about his trade, and help him with a few projects.

At the Carlton House, students learn about the history of the Carlton family, then churn and taste their own butter!

Candle-making, rope-making, and laundry are also part of the days lesson plan, along with several other activities.

For more information go to http://crackercountrynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/spring-school-tours-starting-today.html