Caladium Festival 2021

July 21, 2021 30th Annual Caladium Festival 37
AMANDA FERNANDEZ/CORRESPONDENT
Joni Warner shows the free DIY Kraft Kits for Kids section.
ART
FROM PAGE 19
Arts and Crafts Co-Op.”
The Co-Op may no longer present the art competition, but that doesn’t mean
you won’t find them showing their own arts and crafts for the festival. They have
live art demonstrations for festival attendees and sell lunch inside the building.
Sandi Cross, who handles advertising, said she loves the live demonstrations,
AMANDA FERNANDEZ/CORRESPONDENT
Co-Op founder Carol Mills with Co-Op President Joni Warner.
due to the fact that it gets people involved. “It encourages people,” said Cross. “If
somebody that does that at home, they come and see that it’s down here, then
they ask ‘Oh, how can I put my stuff in?’” The building also serves as a rest place
during the festival from the insufferable Florida heat. Jon Warner, president of
the Co-Op, jokingly said people mainly come in for their air conditioning during
festival time.
Whether it’s taking up a workshop, selling or buying caladium-oriented crafts,
being part of the art community or simply looking to escape the heat, the
Caladium Arts and Crafts Co-Op may have something for everyone.
HISTORY
FROM PAGE 23
Every year since, the festival has
been held in Stuart Park on Interlake
Boulevard. The festival month was later
changed to August because of hurricane
season and this year moves again to the
last full weekend in July.
“What sustained the festival have
been the profits from selling the potted
plants which Bates grows, and the
caladium bulbs which Happiness Farms
bags up and sells,” said Dot Bates.
“All of that money went back into
the festival to keep it going,” Phypers
added.
The festival has grown and become
popular with locals and vendors. All
proceeds from the festivals, which
included large personal donations,
were used for expenses, saved for
future festivals and have supported
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many worthwhile community projects.
One year donations included a $2,000
scholarship and donations to the police
department, schools, the chamber of
commerce, Educational Foundation,
Woman’s Club, Last Chance Ranch,
Masonic Lodge, beautification of Stuart
Park, Town of Lake Placid, and Bradenton
Research Center for a total of $8,200
festival dollars given back to the area.
The success of the festival over the
years has been a commitment of grower
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participation, volunteers, returning
vendors, and the people who come from
everywhere to enjoy the unique flavor of
a small town. Some have decided to come
back and make it their home.
The festival was turned over to the
chamber of commerce in 2007. We are
indebted to the Phypers and Bates families
for their investments, perseverance,
hard work, and dedication to use their
finances, time and expertise to make our
community a better place.
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