40th Anniversary Pine Castle Pioneer Days

To celebrate it’s 40th anniversary on February 23rd and 24th, Pine Castle Pioneer Days chose the theme “Building Community.” The area’s historic structures will be highlighted, as will the pioneers who built them.

In keeping with tradition, festivities will begin with a parade at 9am on Saturday the 23rd.  The route will begin at Belle Isle City Hall and end by the festival entry gates at 5903 Randolph Avenue.

Opening ceremonies will start at 10:30 at the iconic gazebo with tenor Benjamin De Hart’s rendition of the national anthem.

A full schedule of traditional music will entertain festival goers all day both days, as will complimentary wagon tours of the surrounding historic area.  A cornucopia of food vendors will be on hand as well as crafter and community booths.

Living history performers will be in abundance, offering great photo opportunities.  They include the Talako Indian Dancers and the Not-so-Young Guns.  And, Civil War reenactors will stage a raid each afternoon in the field behind an 18th Century log cabin.

Sunday morning festivities will begin at 8 a.m. with nondenominational services at the gazebo.  The 1900 Union Church bell will ring out a welcome and area pastors will arrive on horseback as a tribute to pioneer circuit riders.  The theme will be reconciliation, and will conclude with the surrender of a rifle used in the 1870 Barber-Mizell Feud.

For more complete details, visit the festival website or call 407.427.9692.