7200 Co Rd 603
Bushnell, FL 33513
USA

You don’t have to be a Florida native to enjoy the authentic Florida folk music, storytelling and historical re-enactments in store for you at the Frank Thomas Florida Folk Music and Heritage Festival in Bushnell. In fact, it’s a fun and educational trip back to “Old Florida” as told through music and storytelling. Newcomers to Florida will especially enjoy this nostalgic look at the way things were “back then.” Many of Florida’s most beloved folk musicians will be performing including Chuck Hardwick, Whitey Markle, J.D. and Zetha Lewis, Rita Youngman, Eroc Hendl, Dora Ann, Keith Hope, Emmett Carlisle, Mike Jurgensen, Bill and Eli Perras, Dale Crider and groups like The Florida Boys, Crabgrass Cowboys and In Good Company. Of course, legendary Florida folk musician Frank Thomas will perform. Storytellers will spellbind visitors. Judge Nelson Bailey, Jerry Cowling, Dora Ann, Eli and Bill Perras, Vgo and Bill Roberts will spin fascinating tales of Old Florida. Lew Welge performs as a most believable Abe Lincoln. Florida Swamp Cabbage rounds out the storytelling. Rick Smith returns with his popular multimedia show about his father, “Patrick Smith’s Florida Is A Land Remembered.” Incorporating videos, special effects, music and live narration, Rick will share fascinating tales of his late father, Patrick D. Smith, who is considered the ambassador of Florida literature, most famous for his enduring novel of early pioneers, A Land Remembered. Rick will have books for sale and signing. He will present his show at 12:00 PM. If you have an old stringed instrument in the closet collecting dust, bring it out and join the instrument workshops where you’ll surely pick up some new tips and tricks. There will be unique handcrafts and music CDs for sale. Here’s a great opportunity to snap up some unique Christmas gifts. Of course, no festival is complete without food and you can enjoy some delicious refreshments, too. Admission is a very reasonable $6 per carload, up to eight people.