The activity of choice, this coming Saturday, November 12, has to be Pioneer Day

at the Historical Society of Sarasota County in Pioneer Park. This gem of a park, just off Tamiami Trail at 12th Street, is unknown to many. Yet it contains not only the Bidwell-Wood House, the oldest residence in the county, and the Crocker Church, built in 1902, but also the Whitaker Cemetery, historic Hog Creek, basketball fields and shady walking paths just a few minutes from downtown.

Well worth a visit on its own, this Saturday the HSOSC is hosting Pioneer Day, with demonstrations, home-grown music, artisans and artists and craftpeople. There will be docents to show you the 1882 house and its separate Florida kitchen, games, barbeque and maybe a vintage car or two.

Perhaps you’ll be boarding the first-of-the-season Saturday Downtown Historic Trolley Tour in front of the Crocker Church at 10am… when you get back, the festivities will be in full swing and the barbeque smoking!

Celebrated craftsperson Marie Rowe will be on hand with her wonderful hand-spun and hand-woven soft goods in the Crocker Church

Tour the Pioneer Cemetery with local author Clarissa Thomasson, meet children’s author Jane Kirschner Tucillo, and many more talented and creative folk. The day starts at 10am and continues til 4pm. Admission is free, but you are requested to bring a few contributions for the Mayor’s Feed the Hungry Campaign, and meet Mayor Suzanne Atwell, Vice Mayor Terry Turner and Commissioner Willie Shaw.

Your monetary donations to the Historical Society will allow our two buildings to be preserved, and new memberships are welcome as well (they make great live-local gifts for hostesses, guests, and neighbors too!) See all the activities we host on our Activities Calendar, and come join us… for the day, or for the year.

Here’s all the info on Pioneer Day.