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MARCH 2 - 5, 2023 

For Google map directions, please use address: 231 Wilbur C. King Blvd, Zolfo Springs, FL 33890

***however ALL PARKING is on the SOUTH SIDE of SR64 and not in the park. Please see parking notice below***

Pioneer Festival, formerly known as Pioneer Park Days Festival, was established in 1968. You may hear it referred to simply as "the show". This term came from the initial "show" being comprised of a showing of tractors and engines. Later on the old flea market area. Pioneer Village area, and entertainment was added to the event, being fully known as Pioneer Park Days Festival.

Showcasing the history of local industries that have driven our local economy to where it is today is a primary love of all involved! Founding families still contribute their time, resources, knowledge, and service to preserve the heritage while educating our youth,  communities, and visitors who travel from all over the Eastern United States.

Attracting over 10,000 people in the 4 days of the festival and bringing the center of Zolfo Springs to life!

Main attractions of the Pioneer Festival are:

  • Hardee County Showcase (see all there is to eat, stay, shop, and play in Hardee County)

  • Pioneer Village - 1800s (entertainment, re-enactments, food and more all to time-period)

  • Spring Market (previously known as "the flea market" has gotten a face lift, come see us!)

  • Vintage Belle Market (shabby chic, upscale artisan and antique market)

  • Tractor & Engine Displays (one of the largest on display in Florida)

  • Festival Foods of all kinds (throughout entire festival)

  • Kid's Zone (Thursday and Friday afternoons & Saturday and Sunday all day)

  • Car, Truck, & Jeep Show (9am-1pm Saturday, March 4th under the Big Barn)

  • Orange Blossom Pageant (starts at 2pm Sunday, March 5th under the Big Barn)

  • Sip & Shop (4pm-6pm Friday, March 3rd in the Vintage Belle Market)

  • Concerts & Entertainment (under the Big Barn: Thursday Night Free Concert, Saturday Night Glen Templeton Tickets Available here)

  • One Hour Tour for our Field Trip Reservations

NEW this year:  Concerts, Kid's Zone, updated Spring Market, Field Trips, and interactive activities in Pioneer Village!



***  ALL PARKING is south side of SR64 ***

All designated parking lots provide visitors trolley rides from the parking areas directly into the event. Trolley services also give accessibility to areas throughout the entire festival with 7 designated  loading/unloading stations. 

Parking Lot #1:  General Parking

Handicap & Trailer Parking

Volunteers & Partners

Handicap Trolley

Parking Lot #2: General Parking

(general trolley)

Parking Lot #3:  General Parking

(general trolley)

see event & parking map here



ALL TICKETS BELOW INCLUDE ADMISSION FOR DAY OF...


FRIDAY, MARCH 3RD, 2023 NIGHT IN THE VILLAGE AT PIONEER FESTIVAL

Sit under the stars in Pioneer Village, an 1800s replica village, brought to life at sunset with live entertainment and a Florida Cracker dinner. (This ticket includes general admission for Friday, March 3rd starting at 9am.)

Come early to enjoy a Sip & Shop from 4pm - 6pm at the Vintage Belle Market located at the front entrance beside Pioneer Village then make your way over for refreshments then dinner at 7pm.

Attendees who have brands, please bring your irons! We would love to brand our picnic table for all to enjoy!

**ID will be checked, drink responsibly** | **parking fee separate**   |  **4 and under free**



SATURDAY, MARCH 4TH, 2023 GLEN TEMPLETON CONCERT AT PIONEER FESTIVAL

Bring the whole family out to enjoy live entertainment in a family friendly atmosphere!! The fun starts under the Big Barn at 6pm with Bernie Little Distributor serving drinks (alcohol and non-alcohol), Joey Kirkland brings the Big Barn to life with opening entertainment at 7pm and Glen Templeton will have us all dancing the night away starting at 8pm!!

**ID will be checked, drink responsibly** | **parking fee separate**  | **4 and under free**



SUNDAY, MARCH 5TH, 2023 ORANGE BLOSSOM PAGEANT AT PIONEER FESTIVAL

Bring the whole family out to enjoy the 1st annual Orange Blossom Pageant under the Big Barn in a family friendly atmosphere!! The pageant begins at 2pm and will include intermission entertainment. Be sure to bring the kiddos to enjoy the Kids’ Zone and food vendors located beside the Big Barn.

**parking fee separate**  | **4 and under free**




FIELD TRIP FRIDAY RESERVATIONS

We're excited to offer field trip packages this year! Please submit your information and staff will be in contact with you to finalize details! 

Field trips include a one (1) hour guided tour of Pioneer Village and admission Festival wide. Adults and students are able to enjoy all areas of the Festival, such as the newly added Kid's Zone, Animal Refuge, Spring Market, Live Music, Vintage Belle Market, and Tractor and Engine Exhibit. (Ages 4 and under receive free admission)

** Specific time slots for demonstrations in the village as well as the entire Festival Schedule will be available at www.VisitHardee.com > Events > Pioneer Festival  **



SUPPORTER'S CORNER 

Without Your Helping Hands, We Couldn't Do it All!

DID YOU KNOW? 

It takes a minimum of 147 volunteers for the Pioneer Festival to breathe! It takes a minimum of 47 volunteers just to open the gates daily and an additional 32 to see us through our evening events! It takes a minimum of:

    • 14 tractor drivers daily (56 shifts for all 4 days)
    • 14 trolley riders daily (56 shifts for all 4 days)
    • 24 ticket booth workers daily (96 shifts for all 4 days)
    • 8 grounds keepers daily (32 shifts for all 4 days)
    • All volunteer board members working their assigned areas throughout each day & evening
    • And countless volunteer re-enactors, exhibitors, and additional volunteers who simply serve our volunteers to keep them hydrated, give breaks for their duties, and transport volunteers to their designated areas...upon many other little things.


  • Community Hours are given to students.
  • Post-Festival Appreciation & Review on Tuesday March 7th (snacks will be made available)

Our Sponsors & Partners make all the Difference!

Visit Hardee is a non-profit operated by a board of volunteers with 2 part-time staff to carry out the day-to-day and event planning duties of Hardee County's Destination Marketing & Management Organization.

Pioneer Festival is the main source of funding that has provided for the event to grow, Visit Hardee to step into its DMO role fully, and spawned two other events, Red, White & Boom and Trail of Fear, that Hardee County residence and visitors enjoy throughout the year.

Partners & Sponsors provide monetary or in-kind donations and services to see specific areas of the festival continue to grow for future generations to come! All donations, monetarily and in-kind, are utilized for Pioneer Festival in areas such as:

  • New demonstrations & educational entertainment in Pioneer Village
  • New evening entertainment of concerts under the Big Barn (aka Nickerson-Ullrich Building)
  • Expansion to include Orange Blossom Pageant focused on Citrus Industry History
  • Additions to our Field Trip Package
  • Increased ability to work towards more inclusivity (such as additional handicap bathrooms, sensory sensitivity bags, and wheelchair accessible dig stations)
  • New temporary General Store replica in Pioneer Village (our dream is to make this permanent)
  • Additional Tractors & Trolleys that are wheelchair accessible
  • and many many more!

Click below to see the Sponsorship Form and see how we can partner together to keep this 55 year young event growing and thriving for Hardee County!!!



  • Partners can elect to stay unanimous if desired
  • Sponsors are invited to the Post-Festival Appreciation & Review on Tuesday March 7th (snacks will be made available)
  • Sponsors/Partners receive admission and exposure for their business in correlation to the Sponsor Form outline. **see form for all the details***


EVENT GALLERY FROM PAST YEARS...


PARKING, PEDESTRIANS, & TROLLEYS

Due to safety issues and growing concern for our pedestrian visitors we've been working with FDOT and the Hardee County Sheriff's Office to assess the growth of the Pioneer Festival. Reflected on the map, official event parking lots have been designated. Visit Hardee has arranged for Trolley pick up and drop off in the specific parking locations to accommodate the further distance and increase in visitors to the event. ***Please notate your parking lot as trolleys are designated and not permitted to make additional stops***

Law enforcement will be establishing a designated crossing at the ONLY entrance to aid in safe crossing of State Road 64 and another Trolley ONLY crossing to aid in safe crossing of the Trolley Service (no pedestrians will be permitted to cross at the Trolley Only crossing, no exceptions). 

We understand there may be some inconveniences as we must adjust with the growth but we are doing everything possible to reduce burden and safety concerns on our community, visitors, and volunteers. Hardee County has not overseen Pioneer Festival for a few years now, but they do work closely with us providing help with the vital weeks of labor in preparing the grounds. 

Visit Hardee is a completely separate entity from Hardee County, a nonprofit with a small board of six volunteers, with a vision to keep this event alive and thriving. We welcome anyone in the community who has suggestions or ideas for improvement to participate with our Pioneer Festival committee for their voices to be heard and to work alongside us August through March to see this event continue for future generations!


Pioneer Festival Map

Is in redesign and will be uploaded soon!

PARTNERS & SPONSORS...creating a hometown we love to share together

CORPORATE PARTNERS

       

PRESENTING PARTNERS

      

PLATINUM PARTNERS

    

GOLD PARTNERS


SILVER PARTNERS



FOLLOW US FOR ALL THE FUN!


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