The DeSoto County Historical Society’s 22nd Annual Pioneer Day and BBQ showcases the history and heritage of southwest Florida from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sat., March 28, 2026, at the Turner Agri-Civic Center, 2250 NE Roan St., with the Arcadia American Legion sponsored Antique Tractor and Hit & Miss Engine Show plus Hotrod and Classic Car Show.

This year’s festival will commemorate the centennial anniversary of Arcadia City Hall, J. L. Jones Building, and Plaza Hotel and celebrating the 250th Anniversary of Independence.

Fun for the whole family includes bodacious barbecue, luscious strawberry shortcake, and other tasty treats; demonstrations of old-fashioned skills and crafts; arts and crafts, legendary characters; musical entertainment; traditional Florida Cracker cow camp and whip crackers; classic 1924 LaFrance firetruck and fire hose demonstration with an exhibit about the 1905 fire that destroyed downtown Arcadia; Florida authors and artists; a free “hands-on history” area with time-honored tasks, vintage games, fossil dig, and more.

For more information, call 863-266-5774 or send an email message to [email protected] or check out our Pioneer Day page.