Swamp Heritage Festival

The 2024 Swamp Heritage Festival celebrates 50 years of Big Cypress National Preserve while also highlighting the thousands of years of inhabitants that preceded and protected this area before it was formally set aside. This year, the goal of this festival is to allow the public to ‘Celebrate Cypress’ in whatever way is most meaningful to them! Through cultural demonstrations, thrilling stories of the past, and hands-on activities, we hope to share the things that make this place unique. We strive to provide opportunities to learn about historical events, people, and places so that everyone can find a way to appreciate Big Cypress as it is but also as it was. In 2024, we are striving to spread the love and appreciation for a place that, without those of the past, may not exist in the same way that it does today. The story of Big Cypress is ongoing, but how we recognize and appreciate these stories of the past is what will define us moving forward into our next 50 years.

The day’s events will take visitors on a journey of discovery through the past by engaging the senses. Thrilling speakers and upbeat bands will fill the festival grounds with sounds of the swamp, while hands on activities such as archery and (potentially) swamp buggy rides will give guests a chance to use tools that have traditionally been used to travel and subsist in this area. Visually, airboats, heavy equipment and educational booths will engage onlookers with their ingenuity and interest by spotlighting technological advancements, plants and animals, recreational activities, and traditional arts of the Miccosukee. And if that wasn’t already enough, we hope that noses and stomach’s will be filled with the smells of local favorites, such as smoked mullet and fry bread. Additionally, this year the Miccosukee have shown incredible interest in being involved in the festival, including having their logo and tribal member likeness on all Swamp Heritage promotional material.

This event is scheduled for December 7th, and it will run from 10:00am until 3:30pm. The festival will kick off with opening remarks from Preserve Superintendent, Tom Forsyth, local artist and long-time Preserve resident, Clyde Butcher, and from Cypress Talbert, who is the Chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians. Local businesses, and nonprofits with relevant missions have been invited to attend and set up exhibitor booths. We have also invited native artists to set up booths to sell their wares. Demonstrations will be had on traditional boat carving, tying fishing flies, and whip cracking (cattleman). Speakers will include Randy Noles, author of “The Orange Blossom Boys”, Dallas Townsend, a local cattle rancher, as well as William J. ‘Popeye’ Osceola, Secretary of the Miccosukee Business Council. Food trucks and stands will be available for festival-goers to enjoy a snack or meal while visiting the event.

A final list of speakers and musicians as well as a schedule of events will be uploaded as soon as it is finalized! We hope to see you on December 7th!