Whether it was tasting cane syrup, riding on a mule, sampling chili, or listening to music, there were plenty of ways to have fun at the seventh annual Raising Cane Festival at the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City.
Those attending the festival had a chance to see how sugarcane is turned into syrup. They also could check out the festival’s first chili cookoff, and the syrup-tasting contest, where samples were judged on taste, color, pour and clarity.
Other activities included live entertainment, barrel train rides and a petting zoo, as well as iron skillet and sugar cane pole tossin’.
Wilbur Dew, who has produced cane syrup for more than 20 years, demonstrated his skills.
Museum experts say cane syrup was a routine part of pioneers’ diets, especially those settled in southern states, like Florida.
The Pioneer Florida Museum gives visitors a chance to step back in time and learn how the state’s early settlers lived.
For more information about the museum, visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org.
Published January 18, 2017
