Florida Flywheelers Antique Show

The Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine Club was founded in 1972 to promote the history and restoration of antique engines, autos and other antique devices. Flywheeler Park, located  at 7000 Avon Park Cutoff Road, Fort Meade, Florida, was purchased in 1997 to showcase the 1,500+ member collections and preserve a part of history.

It has since grown to nearly 240 acres with multiple shows per year and includes a tractor pull track, club and member buildings, as well as, large engine collections.

The club advertises their shows as "wholesome fun for the whole family" with antique tractor displays, a steam-powered saw mill, an old engine ice cream maker, a pioneer village complete with cabins, barns, a church, a mercantile, blacksmith, schoolhouse, stores, stables, a jail, a firehouse, and gas stations, and miles of flea market items and carnival-style food.

Events are held in January, February and November with a special Christmas in the Village in December. Visit  Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine Club for the 2011 - 2012 schedule and more information.

Parksdale Farm Market

Photo from public-domain-image.com

Parksdale Farm Market in Plant City, Florida (exit #17 from I-4) is famous for its strawberry shortcake available January through April. It's also a great place to visit year round and offers seasonal produce, citrus, jams and jellies, honey, gifts, and plants.

The market began in 1956 when company founder R.E. (Roy) Parke, Jr. (an immigrant from Northern Ireland) moved from Pennsylvania to Plant City, FL. He saw a great opportunity to grow winter crops including strawberries and the family eventually expanded the farm into hundreds of acres and added their own plant nurseries and greenhouses. Roy’s daughter Cheryl and her husband Jim Meeks opened the Parkesdale Farm Market in 1969 and it is still going strong.

The market is located at 3702 West Baker Street, Plant City, Florida and is open 7 days a week from 9 am – 6 pm.

Gatorama

Gatorama, located on US 27 between Palmdale and Moore Haven, is one of Florida's original roadside attractions still operating today. Even more amazing is the fact that it is still operated by the same family of native Floridians into the fifth and six generation.

This 15-acre attraction makes its home in a natural hammock with a covered 1,000 foot walkway and a lengthy wooden bridge. The walkway meanders past baby alligators, bobcats, ducks, geese, panthers, raccoons and peacocks while the wooden bridge brings visitors up close to the many alligators and crocodiles. Gatorama is open daily, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.