Oakland to host annual Heritage Festival

Did you know there were four American Indian trading posts and six villages set up in the Oakland area in the 1850s — nearly four decades before the town was incorporated in 1887?

Learn more about the 128-year history of the town of Oakland, as well as its cultural and natural heritage, at the 18th Annual Oakland Heritage Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Speer Park, 331 N. Tubb St.

Saturday’s event will feature Lake Apopka boat tours, hay rides, live entertainment, a drum circle, wildlife and cultural presentations, children’s art show, vendors, a silent auction with more than 50 gifts, petting zoo, children’s activities and a costume contest.

Guests are asked to bring canned goods to the Young Christian Musicians Band booth; donations will be given to the West Orange Christian Service Center’s food pantry.

Also on display are a Seminole Indian hunting camp, the art of forging and blacksmithing and leather crafting; as well as displays of Florida turtles and mammals, water resources and Florida native plant communities.

Friends of Lake Apopka is raffling off two new bikes, and all proceeds benefit ONP. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the event for $1 each or six for $5. Winners will be announced at the end of the festival.

Volunteers are needed in two- or three-hour shifts from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. All volunteers receive a free T-shirt and meal ticket. To sign up, email [email protected] or call (407) 905-0054.

Admission is free; other proceeds benefit the Oakland Nature Preserve.

For more information about the festival, visit the preserve’s website, oaklandnaturepreserve.org, or call (407) 905-0054.