Join in the Jubilee

More than 125 crafters will have wares on display during the annual Country Jubilee at Heritage Village this Saturday.

LARGO - When the 26th annual Country Jubilee takes place Saturday at Heritage Village, Arlene Lathrop will be at her familiar spot near the House of Seven Gables.

The Victorian-style home, built in 1907 but moved to Heritage Village - by boat, no less - in 1976, is a spot Lathrop has had for nearly all the 21 years she's been involved with the event.

Lathrop, 62, of Clearwater, will be one of 127 crafters at the jubilee, sponsored by the Pinellas County Historical Society. Heritage Village is located at 11909 125th St. N.

"I do a couple other shows in a year, but the jubilee is my favorite," said Lathrop, who displays handmade stuffed scarecrows, turkeys, snowmen and even a Count Dracula for Halloween. "I love the day because it's outside and you step back in time. It's a real family day."

Lathrop likes to work on her stuffed, soft-fabric items in her spare time.

"For me, it's a hobby," said Lathrop, who has worked at Dunedin Middle School for 33 years and has been the school secretary for more than 25 years.

Other items to be found at the Country Jubilee will include country crafts, wind chimes, woven objects, jewelry and wood objects. There also will be Victorian craft demonstrations, sugar cane grinding, food for sale and for children a petting zoo and face painting. Live music will be provided throughout the day.

The 28 structures on the 21-acre grounds will be open for tours, and antique cars will be on display at the Heritage Mercantile Store.

Heritage Village, now a part of Pinewood Cultural Park, was first opened to the public in September 1977. The first Country Jubilee, then known as the Country Fair, took place in October 1978. The event is the Historical Society's major fundraiser. All proceeds benefit Heritage Village, a 21-acre collection of more than two dozen restored buildings, including a schoolhouse, a church, a railroad depot, a country store and a variety of historic homes.

Jody Stanley, this year's booth space chairwoman, is confident the event will draw about 15,000 people, much as in other years.

"So many come back," she said, "we know we must be doing something right."

The Country Jubilee runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N, Largo. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Free parking and shuttle service to the event will be provided at Ridgecrest Park, 12000 Ulmerton Road.

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