by Donna Digennaro, Clermont Historic Village
If you didn’t have a chance to go to the Heritage Day Festival at the Historic Village, you missed a fun-filled day—Mother Nature even cooperated with perfect temperatures and nice breezes off Lake Minneola.
The day featured lots of hands-on activities like making friendship bracelets, hand washing clothes on a scrub board, using hand tools, churning butter, and even making rope. Read to Sydney, Captains A and SySy from YouTube were there. Rosie the Riveter and a few others joined them. The restored Model T Fords were impressively displayed along with a 1925 pumper firetruck that was used for many years in Tampa.
This year also featured organizations that have long been a part of the history of Clermont and our country—the American Legion, Kiwanis, Veterans of Foreign War, and the Woman’s Club. Visitors had the opportunity to talk with their representatives and learn how they are still playing an active role in the community.
A special “Thank you” goes out to Outback Steakhouse for providing the delicious chicken, mashed potatoes & salad that was available to purchase for lunch and to Sweet Cups for the equally amazing chocolate chip cookies.
The Clermont Historical Society has hosted Heritage Day for 6 years and is planning on continuing the tradition next year. But you don’t have to wait long to visit the Historic Village. All the activities may not be happening every weekend, but all the buildings are open for tours every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The structures have been lovingly restored and are full of interesting artifacts and antiques. You can even contact the Village manager, Roxanne Brown, at 352-242-7734 to arrange for a private tour during the week and to inquire about renting the Depot or the Chapel.
Siobhan Hiett takes her sister, Josie, for a ride in a Model T Woody
