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A Weekend Triple Treat

Tampa Tribune staff photo/Greg Fight.

Betty Denton, in period costume, repairs the cane seat on an old chair. She will be demonstrating her craft at the 30th annual Pioneer Heritage Day.

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By RAY REYES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 14, 2007

Updated: 11/12/2007 10:49 pm

Additional Photos

PLANT CITY - In the heart of a historical district, scenes of how life was a century ago play out against the backdrop of one of the city's oldest buildings, echoing a time when Florida was an untamed frontier.

About the same time at the same location, booths, displays and games tailored to instill in children an interest in the arts celebrates what it means to be young.

South of town, smoke from more than 100 grills clouds the air with the aroma of barbecue beef, pork and chicken.

A festive mood is expected Saturday when three popular events, each boasting free admission, coincide to draw thousands of residents and visitors to town.

The 30th annual Pioneer Heritage Day runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the 25th annual Children's Fun Festival also will be held at the 1914 school.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the fifth annual Plant City Pig Jam barbecue gets cooking at the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex, 1810 E. Park Road, about 2 1/2 miles south of Interstate 4.

Mayor Rick Lott said Saturday may mark the first time the separate festivals were held on the same day, giving families plenty of entertainment options.

"As a city, we welcome all events that promote a strong family," Lott said.

Organizers and participants of the three festivals were busy with preparations all week.

Heritage craftswoman Betty Denton, who specializes in caning chairs, worked to complete a set of four antique pieces to show off during the community center's commemoration of the Sunshine State's pioneer past.

"It's about people who care about heritage and care about preserving things," Denton said of the festival.

As she talked in front of a warm fire in her Dover home, her hands worked long fibers stripped from the exterior of bamboo stalks into a woven pattern that, when completed, will become a refurbished chair seat.

Denton learned to cane 17 years ago when she met a "tiny wizened-up old gentleman" hosting a caning demonstration on the steps of the University of Tampa. Denton was attracted to the craft immediately.

"I've always liked working with my hands," she said. "I love working with wood. Crocheting was just too tame for me."

Denton pleaded with the man, Ned Johnson, to teach her the craft. Johnson reluctantly agreed, and Denton apprenticed with him for three years. Both found out later they were distant cousins.

Learning the craft may have been fate, Denton said.

Johnson "said it was genetic," she said.

At Pioneer Heritage Day she will put on a period dress to become her alter-ego, Granny Denton. She will talk about her craft and why she feels it is important to preserve traditions in a technologically advanced world.

"It's a neat thing because there's so few of us around," Denton said of heritage crafters. "I am not a technically oriented person. I know what my place in life is and I'm comfortable with my place in life."

Old-timey comforts abound during Pioneer Heritage Day, said organizer Shelby Bender, whose organization, the East Hillsborough Historical Society, sponsors the event. Roving hosts and hostesses in period costumes will give tours of the 1914 school, and pioneer tradespeople will show off their skills. There also will be antiques exhibits and a Civil War display will be set up.

The Plant City Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy will honor members of the Cow Cavalry, a special battalion of the Florida Special Cavalry, and there will also be a bake sale, food and other refreshments.

The Rotary Club of Plant City Daybreak will serve breakfast. The full menu, time and price of the breakfast was not available. At 11:30 a.m., members of the Plant City Cornerstone Center will serve a lunch of chicken and rice, conch peas, salad, cornbread and peach cobbler for $10 per person.

"It's fun because you get to learn how it's like back in the old days," said Emily Cook, 9, who is a student at Jackie's Dance Studio and will participate in a group performance during Pioneer Heritage Day and the Children's Fun Festival.

Sharon Everidge, Emily's dance instructor, said she is pulling double-duty on Saturday, preparing her students for their performance as well as helping coordinate the activities for the Children's Fun Festival.

Sponsored by the Arts of Council of Plant City, children will be able to make "treasures" - paintings, bookmarks and other crafts to take home - and inflatable bounce houses and slides will offer recess for youngsters.

"They'll have different types of exposure to art," Everidge said.

Artistic expression of the culinary variety is the big draw for visitors at the softball complex. Barbecue chefs from across the country converge at the Plant City Pig Jam, and people will get to taste some of the best barbecue in the nation, said Mark Poppell, who coordinates the event with the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce.

Pig Jam features a professional competition sponsored by the Kansas City Barbeque Society along with amateur and children's competitions. The total purse is more than $15,000, according to the chamber.

For a fee, guests can sample barbecue pork, beef, chicken, ribs and brisket. Live musical entertainment and activities for children also will be offered.

Poppell and co-founder Fred Williams came up with the idea for the Pig Jam after attending the 2001 Big Pig Jig in Vienna, Ga. That was when a thought struck Poppell.

"There was no reason we can't have a Pig Jam in Plant City," he said.

Poppell, who calls himself the "co-grandfather" of the Pig Jam, said he is getting ready to roll out his barbecue cooker. It is by no means a monster grill, about as big as the interior of a minivan, Poppell said, although some visiting grill masters are known to haul around larger contraptions.

"The size of the grill," Poppell said, "is not indicative of how good the barbecue is."

The mayor of Plant City said he and his family plan on enjoying a barbecue dinner at the Pig Jam after spending the early afternoon learning about Florida's wild pioneer days.

"I think all three events are great family entertainment," Lott said, "and it shows the spirit of our community."

IF YOU GO

30th Annual Pioneer Heritage Day

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St.

COST: Admission is free

INFORMATION: Call the East Hillsborough Historical Society at (813) 757-9226 or e-mail gcenter@tampabay.rr.com

25th Annual Children's Fun Festival

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St.

COST: All activities are free for children

INFORMATION: Call Sharon Everidge at (813) 752-1683 or Marsha Passmore at (813) 754-2301

Plant City Pig Jam

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex, 1810 E. Park Road

COST: Parking is $3; general admission is free; samples of barbecue available for a fee

INFORMATION: Call the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce at (813) 754-3707

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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