CRACKER COUNTRY HOSTS THE “RURAL LIFE FESTIVAL” AND “HAINTS, LEGENDS & TALL TALES”
 4800 U.S. Highway 301 North * Tampa, FL 33610
Phone (813) 621-7821 * Fax (813) 740-3505 * www.floridastatefair.com
Press Contact: Denise Shreaves at 813-627-4314
Media Advisory - Interview Opportunity Cracker Country hosts the Rural Life Festival and Haints, Legends & Tall Tales on Saturday, October 27. Tampa, FL – October 12, 2007. Relive rural Florida’s past with two unique events on the same date featuring an educational alternative to mainstream Halloween festivities with fun for the whole family! WHO: Rip Stalvey, Cracker Country’s museum director, is available for interviews to discuss this special, holiday event. Please call (813) 627-4314 or 627-4225 to arrange an interview. “There are many kids and parents who don’t necessarily enjoy being scared or agree with the fundamental principles of Halloween. We are educating kids on Florida’s history of folklore and legends in a fun way that is steeped in tradition,” remarks Mr. Stalvey. “The difference between our stories and traditional ghost stories is that we have taken our tales right out of the history books,” says Stalvey. WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. WHAT: Rural Life Festival takes place during the day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: $5 for adults, $4 for seniors & children 6-12, and children 5 & under are FREE.
How did people live and work over 100 years ago? This special event will focus on the rhythm of life in 1890s rural Florida, including the agricultural labors that drew people together and the social activities that surrounded these work days. Guests can walk through the historic buildings, play games and help with the chores, or participate in a one-of-a-kind Scarecrow Competition held during the festival. Grab some overalls, stuff a shirt, find a hat, and you could be a winner in Cracker Country’s Scarecrow Competition. Entries will be on display during the Rural Life Festival. Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place entries. Cracker Country will retain the first and second place winners for display in the museum’s gardens during the coming year. Entrance into the contest requires a $5 fee per entry that must accompany the entry form which can be obtained by calling Cracker Country. Payment must be received by Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. Scarecrows can be dropped off at Cracker Country on Oct. 25-26 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Haints, Legends and Tall Tales Storytelling takes place in the evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tour Hours: 6:15 p.m., 7:15 p.m. & 8:15 p.m. Each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and is limited to the first 120 people in attendance at start time.
Admission: $5 for adults, $4 for seniors & children 6-12, and children 5 & under are FREE.
The work of the day is done and now it’s time to swap stories. Historically-costumed interpreters (docents) will use lanterns to guide small groups as they recount traditional Florida folk tales. In addition, the Pleasant Family Old Time String Band will be performing during the storytelling event.
Folks will be able to shop in the J.R. Terry Store for souvenirs of early rural Florida at both events.
Buy a COMBO TICKET to both events and SAVE two dollars off the general admission price! Combo ticket prices are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors & children 6-12, and children 5 & under are FREE. Admission to either event is available for purchase on the day of the event only. WHERE: Cracker Country, 4800 U.S. Highway 301 North, Tampa, FL 33610. Cracker Country is located on the Florida State Fairgrounds property adjacent to I-4 and U.S. Highway 301 in East Hillsborough County. Parking is free for this event only; visitors must enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road service entrance. For more information, logon to http://www.crackercountry.org/ or call Cracker Country at 813-627-4225.
For information on other events taking place at the Fairgrounds, please call 813-621-7821; check the Fairgrounds Info Line at 813-622-7275; or log on to http://www.floridastatefair.com/ and click on Calendar of Events.
Media are welcome at all events held at the Florida State Fairgrounds. To cover general Fairgrounds events, please contact Denise Shreaves directly at 813-627-4314 or e-mail shreavd@doacs.state.fl.us. Media wishing to cover an event should enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road entrance and check in with the security guard to notify the appropriate contact person.
The Florida State Fair Authority operates the Florida State Fairgrounds 365 days a year, in association with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson leads the Fair Authority, which oversees the Florida State Fairgrounds and the annual Florida State Fair.
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