Mixon Orange Blossom Festival & Pioneer Days celebration (Bradenton, Zolfo Springs: food, activities)

[Sunshine Rules]

2 events are coming up this weekend that visitors to our area may wish to check out:

The first is the Orange Blossom Festival put on by the Mixon Fruit Farms in south Manatee county. The scent of a grove full of orange trees in bloom is incredible. Mixon's spring event has grown over the year, with this year's event including a craft fair, food vendors (including Amish donuts), rides and various forms of entertainment. There is no charge for parking, entrance to the event or the entertainment.

You can go to www.mixon.com and look under the Orange Blossom Festival for a list of activities and times. Address is: 2525 27th St. E in Bradenton.


The 2nd event is actually located east of Manatee county, about a 1/2 hour's drive east from I-75 on SR64. Zolfo Springs is holding it's annual Pioneer Days event. The main focus is on dozens of antique steam engines and old tractors, trucks and cars on display. There are exhibits and demonstrations on crafts from the 1800s such as basket weaving, cooking in dutch ovens, etc. They also have a large flea market and food is provided by community churches and clubs. One booth always offers fried gater tail and swamp cabbage. I've had it several times, it's good! Admission is only $2 per person, very reasonable for an event of this size. For more info, go to: Pioneer Park Days