When the organizers were gearing up to debut Ranch Days last year at Little Everglades Ranch, north of Dade City, they proceeded with caution.
They wanted to see how the event went, before making plans for another one.
Apparently, the event went well because now event planners are gearing up for the second annual Ranch Days on the 2,050–acre property, owned by Bob and Sharon Blanchard.
Slated for Feb. 10, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and for Feb. 11, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the event offers a chance to listen to music, grab a bite to eat, and take home a purchase or two. Little Everglades Ranch is at 17951 Hamilton Road, north of Dade City.
Last year, about 5,000 turned out, said Kevin Campbell, who along with his wife, Andie, coordinates events at Little Everglades Ranch.
“For a first-year event, we were pleased with the amount of people that we had out,” he said.
This year, he said, there have been some improvements.
“The stage is bigger and better,” Campbell said.
“Where we have the stage sits on a real gentle kind of hill to the north, and there are three or four real big live oak trees kind of around it.”
“The music is great. We went a little bit harder on some of the headline entertainment,” he said.
This year’s lineup includes Thomas Wynn and The Believers, as the headline act on Feb. 10. “They’re kind of a bluesy-rock Florida group.”
Another act, Colin Axxxwell, is coming from Nashville.
“He’s just so good. I had to book him,” Campbell said.
There’s also Bill “The Sauce Boss” Wharton.
“Bill is a 72-year-old man who has been playing music for many years. For the last 30 years, he cooks out a batch of gumbo on the stage. He comes up in a chef’s coat and a chef’s hat. He plays guitar all by himself, with a bass drum and a high hat.
“When he first comes out, I think he has a 12-gallon pot. We give him all of the ingredients and he fills this pot up, and he starts his batch of gumbo — and then 67 minutes later he takes the batch of gumbo … and he gives out 100 bowls of gumbo.”
Another act, Mean Mary, is back again from last year.
“She’s been playing since she was a 4- or 5-year-old child. She plays fiddle and banjo. “She’s really, really talented,” Campbell said.
The Junior Savage Race is back, too, complete with medals for the kids who complete the course.
This year’s guided tours include a bus tour, swamp buggy rides, a ride on a Vietnam-era amphibious supply vehicle, and camel rides. The bus tour is new.
The event also offers a petting farm, pony rides, face painting, and entertainment by Mr. Tommy.
Other acts will include high-wire shows by Tino Wallenda, of the Flying Wallenda Family, and a snake show and exhibit by Jim Mendenhall, a snake handler and expert.
Lady Kitty will be there, with her birds of prey; and, Rick and Jan Stratton will provide a juggling and variety show, with their sidekick, Snorkel the pig.
He offered these tips for enjoying the experience. Buy tickets for rides early, wear hiking boots, and bring lawn chairs and blankets, to relax on while you listen to the music.
“The rides were booked solid last year,” he said. “People just loved going across the ranch,” he said.
The amphibious vehicle goes across the ranch and into the lake.
There are plenty of choices for food, and there’s beer, soda and water.
Admission is free, but parking is $10 for cars, and $25 for buses and RVs.
Campbell think it’s an event that families will enjoy.
“You pay for rides, and you pay for food and you pay to park,” Campbell said, but everything else is free, he said.
No coolers or pets are allowed. The event will be held, rain or shine.
For more information, visit RanchDays.com.
Ranch Days
Where: Little Everglades Ranch, 17951 Hamilton Road, Dade City
When: Feb. 10, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Feb. 11, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free; parking is $10 for cars, $25 for buses and RVs; vendor charges for food, rides and purchases
Details: Live music on two stages, ranch tours, exhibitions of a high-wire act, a juggling and variety act, birds of prey and indigenous snakes, kids’ activities and more
Info: Visit RanchDays.com.
Published January 31, 2018
