Swamp Cabbage Festival

We attended the 52nd annual Swamp Cabbage Festival in LaBelle, FL this winter. It is a big deal around here. It is such a big deal that even the Budweiser Clydesdales come for the parade!  Sadly, we missed that part of the festival... maybe next year!

However, we did not miss the armadillo races! This was the highlight of the festival, in my opinion! The Rotary manages the races. Each race is sponsored by a local business and the armadillos are assigned interesting, appropriate names. For example, the race sponsored by the local pharmacy had armadillos named Viagra, Ativan and Pain Killer, to name a few.

Although armadillos can move very quickly (when Tucker is barking at them), they didn't seem to have their hearts in it during the races I watched. Bets are taken and the proceeds go to the local club.  

So, are you asking, "What is swamp cabbage?"  I did! It turns out that it is the heart of the swamp cabbage palm. 

There were a number of booths that sold various swamp cabbage delicacies....

.... as well as alligator tail. 

This fellow is cutting alligator tail for preparation at his booth.

 Our area is surrounded by several Indian reservations for the Seminole and the Miccosukee tribes. It is interesting to see how their culture is evident in local activities. 

We visited the festival on two different days. It was very hot and very crowded. The heat sapped my energy, so I enjoyed taking a few moments to watch local talent on the stage. People watching was enjoyable as well. I fell in love with this little guy. I didn't stick around long enough to see what percent of the ice-cream ended up on him, instead of in him!