Caladium Festival 2021

10 30th Annual Caladium Festival July 21, 2021
Bates Sons & Daughters continue the family tradition
By AMANDA FERNANDEZ
CORRESPONDENT
LAKE PLACID — Founded by Emmett
Bates after returning from World War II,
Bates Sons (now known as Bates Sons
and Daughters) is one of the first, and
long-lasting caladium growers, in Lake
Placid. What started off as a five-gallon
bucket of mixed bulbs has blossomed
to one hundred acres of brightly colored
and uniquely named caladiums. Not
only are Bates Sons and Daughters rich
in land but in community history as
well.
The family company is one of the two
families responsible for giving a hand
in starting the now famous Caladium
Festival. The idea for the celebration
was first presented by Doris Gentry. In
1990, Dot Bates and Carolyn Phypers of
Happiness Farms, along with Ann Bond
and Audrey Vickers with the Convention
and Visitors Bureau, hosted the first
festival at Happiness Farms. Dot and
Carolyn went above and beyond to
make sure the festival was a success.
For instance, prior to the event, Dot
and Carolyn drove around town in a
pick-up truck and went door to door offering
free bulbs to anyone who would
plant them for bus tours. The tours
would not only pass by the caladium
fields but also drove past the beautifully
caladium decorated homes to showcase
how people could incorporate them
into the landscape.
The first festival was mainly locals but
has since boomed into the main attraction
every summer for many all over
the country. Leading up to the festival,
the entire town (homes and businesses
alike) adorn their properties in caladiums
all the way down to Devane Park,
AMANDA FERNANDEZ/
CORRESPONDENT
where the festival is now held. Though
the festival was cancelled last year due
to COVID-19, Bates Sons and Daughters
are very excited to take part again in the
festivities.
“We’re looking forward to it, it’s a
good time,” said Terri Bates, owner of
Bates Sons and Daughters. “I’m glad
there’s four growers going to be there.
I think that’s better for the attendees,
I think it will show different stuff and
they can go around and take their time
instead.”
This year, Terri said they will be
offering six-inch caladium pots and
will have a new variety this year called
Dots Delight, named after her mother.
They also have the popular Frog in a
Blender, “Because everyone wants Frog
in a Blender,” said Bates. “And we’ll have
quite a few of our unusual ones there,
that they can’t find anywhere else.”
From selling hanging baskets and
bulbs last year in their barn to now
getting ready for a great festival once
more. Bates Sons and Daughters never
stops serving their customers.
AMANDA FERNANDEZ/CORRESPONDENT
From left: Terri Bates, Don Bates, their granddaughter Mary Grace and Sheri Bates.
Bates Sons & Daughters workers in the field.
AMANDA FERNANDEZ/CORRESPONDENT
Laura Shirley
863-441-4742
Artie Williams
863-633-9800
Tom Taylor
571-745-6625
HIGHLANDS HOME TEAM
YOUR REAL ESTATE SOURCE
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Katie Wilson
863-464-0848
Carmen Green
305-978-5283
201 N. Main Avenue, Lake Placid, Florida
863-441-4742