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Rain a damper for swamp fest
By JOY DAVIS-PLATT, Times Staff Writer
WEEKI WACHEE -- At midday Sunday, rain had slowed to a light drizzle at the 10th annual Weeki Wachee Swamp Festival, but organizers said weekend showers and the possibility of more rain had already cost them a good bit of attendance. "I think that the talk of rain kept the people from Tampa and Zephyrhills away," said Don Deedrick, a festival organizer. "Naturally, rain is disruptive." But the wet weather and muddy paths at the Weeki Wachee Christian Camp didn't deter Melissa and Avery Capshaw. "We have $2 left," said 9-year-old Melissa, sucking on a stick of bright blue rock candy and eyeing a sign advertising swampdogs. "Now, we just have to decide." Not an easy task amid the rows of food vendors touting swampy specialties such as alligator and catfish kabobs, swamp cabbage and crab cakes. "But we have to decide together," reminded Avery, 6, as the pair disappeared into the crowd. As rain set in again, music from the bluegrass stage rang out. A small crowd huddled beneath the wooden canopy listening to songs including Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You. "This is one of the main reasons we came," said Dolores Fisher of Land O'Lakes. "You couldn't have a prettier place to listen to music." For most of Sunday's visitors, the main attraction was the Swamp Festival's arts and crafts. About 170 vendors displayed their wares, ranging from yard gnomes and chain saw sculptures to tropical plants. "You can find just about anything here," said Martha Shaker, holding up a sun catcher that caught the first few breaking rays in the early afternoon. Next year, Deedrick said, the festival will make a move to Jenkins Creek Park on Shoal Line Boulevard, a location with natural surroundings and paved paths. "We're planning to make that our new home," said Deedrick, who said the nonprofit corporation Weeki Wachee Swamp Festival Inc. has already signed a contract with the county "for at least the next 10 years." -- Joy Davis-Platt can be reached at 848-1435 or at joy@sptimes.com.
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