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Step back in history

The ways of the pioneers will be center stage this weekend at Dunnellon's Cracker Days.

By JORGE SANCHEZ
Published February 23, 2007

Cracker Days, a look back at Florida's pioneer period, takes place this weekend at Rainbow Springs State Park.

The event includes folk life displays such as soapmakers, quilters, basketmakers, wood carvers, corn grinders, spinners, wood turners and chair caners. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

In other Cracker Day activities:

- Mark Koruschak, a park ranger from Lake Kissimmee State Park, will explain what it was like to be a Cracker cow hunter and early Florida trapper. Koruschak will have demonstrations both days.

- Storyteller Robert Wilson will perform throughout the weekend.

- Terry Stidham from Dudley Farm State Park will demonstrate an old-fashioned wash day.

- Entertainment Saturday features Dunnellon's Shade Tree Pickers and the Lytle Family. The Back Porch Band and songwriter and performer Alex Groot will perform Sunday.

- Duke Stoetzer and J. Lester Dinkins will be on hand Saturday afternoon with more revelations about the 1890s in Dunnellon. Dunnellon-reared A. Dix Stephens will be in the park Sunday to talk about phosphate and how it created the boomtown, with excerpts from his book Withlacoochee Notes.

Admission to the park is $1. Rainbow Springs State Park is 4 miles north of Dunnellon on U.S. 41. Additional information and a detailed schedule can be obtained at the park or by calling 352 465-8555.

Jorge Sanchez covers arts and entertainment in Citrus. Contact him at sanchez@sptimes.com or 860-7313 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 7313.

[Last modified February 22, 2007, 22:29:39]