Caladium Festival 2021

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24 30th Annual Caladium Festival July 21, 2021 Lake Placid has it all Small towns sometimes have a reputation for being a bit boring, but most of them have many redeeming qualities; Lake Placid certainly does. While residents enjoy a slower pace than folks in larger communities, they are quick to point out the benefits — ease of access (traffic is not generally a problem), reduced crime rates (everybody knows everyone else) and you have lots of friendly people (everybody really knows everyone else). When asked why they chose Lake Placid, residents almost always mention the close proximity to both of Florida’s coasts. If beaches or larger shopping outlets beckon, the drive is generally about an hour, making for a spectacular day trip without giving up the little slice of heaven here in the heartland. Lake Placid still celebrates holidays in the traditional manner — Independence Day and Halloween are community events; there’s a Christmas parade each year and the local high school still holds a homecoming parade. In July, caladiums begin to show up everywhere, which is the reason for one of Lake Placid’s nicknames, “Caladium Capital of the World,” as more than 80% of the world’s caladium bulbs are grown here and shipped to market. The local economic engine is driven by agriculture and tourism. In addition to the caladium production in the fertile bottom lands, higher grounds give way to citrus groves and cattle ranching. Visitors soon notice many buildings in the community decorated with beautiful and informative murals, many of which tell the story of historical events and the people of Lake Placid. Most of the murals are maintained by the local Mural Society, which publishes a guide book that is available for purchase at the chamber of commerce and many retail stores. It’s easy to see how Lake Placid came by another nickname, “The Town of Murals.” FILE PHOTO “’Captain’ T.W. Webb” depicts one the area’s first caladium growers in the 1930s, who, at the time, owned the first and only service station between Sebring and West Palm Beach. The mural is on Davis and Tompkins, Attorneys at Law, 107 Interlake Blvd. FILE PHOTO Highlands County is home to many due to our location on the Lake Wales Ridge, a stretch of high ground that runs down the peninsula. The ridge, once a string of islands surrounded by an ocean that receded thousands of years ago, is home to many threatened and endangered species. Some of them are found nowhere else in the world. Archbold Biological Station was established near here as a scientific center for study of the area. Lake June Scrub Park and Highlands Hammock State Park give a glimpse into nature in the county. You may see sandhill cranes, gopher tortoises, scrub jays, and of course, alligators water lakes, offering water sports and some of the best fishing in the United States. Sport fishing makes any day on the water a treat. Check with any of the local boat retailers or bait shops to get headed in the right direction. There are eight local parks to provide more entertainment opportunities, including lake access. Of course, golfing in Florida’s fine weather is grand and Lake Placid has two golf courses open to the public. There’s a winery nearby, with locally produced wines available at the festival. There’s a wide variety of retail A dramatic sunset unfolds over Little Lake Redwater. Lake unique species of while you visit. Placid is well known for intense sunset hues. plants and animals, The Lake Placid area has 29 fresh ALL | 39 $200 Cash with FREE Checking! 7am–7pm Drive-thru and full-service saturday hours FREE Early Paycheck 60+ Branches with in-person customer service (863) 688-3733 | Toll free (866) 913-3733 Instant-Issue Debit Card Insured by NCUA. Offer valid as of March 1, 2021 and may be canceled at any time without notice. Eligibility requirements apply. See associate for details regarding fees and terms. 1. To qualify for the $200 incentive, you must open a new Free Checking account with direct deposit ($500 cumulative which must post within 45 days of account opening), as well as accept and open online banking, online bill payment, eStatement, eNotice, and a debit card. No dividends are paid on Free Checking. Annual Percentage Yield is 0.00%. Anyone who has held a checking account with MIDFLORIDA in the past year will not qualify for the incentive. The incentive will be deposited to new Free Checking account after the qualifications have been met, and will be reported to the IRS. Minimum to open Free Checking is $50. adno=00067506
July 21, 2021 30th Annual Caladium Festival 25 Caladium growers play unique role in local agriculture STAFF REPORT It takes a lot of caladiums to make Lake Placid the “Caladium Capital of the World.” Lake Placid’s claim to fame is well-earned with virtually all commercial production of caladiums taking place right here in central Florida. Most of those growers have fields here, on the rich dirt near the south shore of Lake Istokpoga. While growers have come and gone over the many years, about a dozen are currently providing bulbs to the retail market. Most are family owned and operated, with the caladium pioneers passing along their secrets and their fields to new generations. From Lake Placid, Bates Sons & Daughters Inc.; Good Day Caladiums; Happiness Farms Inc.; Heartland Caladiums; Hendry Caladiums Inc.; Lake Country Farms; Lake Huntley Bulb Farm; and Lake Placid Bulb Company farm caladiums. From Sebring, Caladium World; Mrs. G.R. Spaulding; and Rainbow Acres are all growers. Currently in Avon Park, only Classic Caladiums actively works a caladium farm. Without these dedicated families and businesses, gardeners in North America would be hard-pressed to find caladiums to buy. Another unique contribution caladium growers provide to the agriculture industry is the production of specialized FILE PHOTO Seen here in 2012, Jose Becerra rides on the back of a caladium harvesting machine in one of Bates Sons & Daughters’ fields along County Road 621 near Lake Placid. farming equipment in order to cultivate caladium plants. The process of harvesting the plants is highly unique and required local growers to come up with new mechanisms to farm the caladiums, according to staff at Bates Sons & Daughters. When Florida caladium breeding first began in about 1910, they quickly became a garden favorite. The movement didn’t really take off until about 1937 or so, as production was limited. By the 1950s, only about 150 acres were planted in caladiums in this area. Now, more than 1,200 acres are devoted to the showy plant. With help from the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida and an extensive research program at Louisiana State University, growers have advanced information about techniques for caladium production, protection and processing. At the urging of local caladium pioneers, IFAS initiated a caladium breeding program in 1976. Over the past 19 years, the program has released several new cultivars, many of which are available at various sources. FAST FACTS When Florida caladium breeding first began in about 1910, it quickly became a garden favorite. The movement didn’t really take off until This is the Blushing Bride variety from Classic Caladiums. about 1937, as production was limited. By the 1950s, only about 150 acres were planted FILE PHOTO FILE PHOTO While caladium growers have come and gone over the years, about a dozen are currently providing bulbs to the retail market. Most are family owned and operated, with the caladium pioneers passing along their secrets and their fields to new generations. in caladiums in this area. Now, more than 1,200 acres are devoted to the showy plant. BREATHE LIFE INTO YOUR GLASS. Florida’s Estate Grown Sugarcane Distillery. PARADE OF HOMES Award Winning Builder! 2005 Spring Parade of Homes “Crystal” Model Best Interior - Best Exterior - Best Overall PARADE OF HOMES PARADE OF HOMES 2006 Spring Parade of Homes “Olivia” Model Best Interior - Best Overall “Crystal 11” Model Best Exterior PARADE OF HOMES 2007 Spring Parade of Homes “Olivia” Model Best Exterior - Best Overall 2011 Best of Highlands County/Best Remodeling Company adno=00068465 find us on (863) 873-4725 264 Henscratch Road, Lake Placid, Florida, USA sugarsanddistillery.com @ sugarsanddistillery TOURS & TASTINGS AVAILABLE adno=00068158 G&N Developers, Inc. 401 E. INTERLAKE BLVD. • LAKE PLACID, FL 33852 863.260.0007 CELL: 863.441.4023 gandndevelopersinc@gmail.com WWW.GANDNDEVELOPERS.COM
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