BASINGER — The Heritage Festival 2025 is celebrating 150 years of history and three generations of the Pearce family homestead at Fort Basinger, Saturday and Sunday April 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  From Okeechobee take  U.S. 98, go over the  Kissimmee River bridge to County Road 721 and left on 70 Boondock Road.

Both days will feature musical entertainment; The Lee Allcorn Band, Barney & Nancy, Ray Cerbone and Double Trouble X2. A Cowboy Church Service on Sunday at 11 a.m., opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. on Saturday with a color Guard from the Okeechobee Chapter. New this year will be a panel discussion by the descendants of the Pearce family on stage.  

 Ecological boat rides on the Kissimmee River by Florida Atlantic University for both days beginning at 11 am. This is popular so sign up ASAP at the boat dock. Learn about the return of fish and wildlife and the largest river restoration in the world that was completed a few years ago.

 Organizers have invited the five counties that were formed by an act of the Florida Legislature in 1921 to present exhibits to meet, greet and learn about our neighbors: Glades, DeSoto, Charlotte, Hardee and Highlands Counties. Also spinning and quilt display. This takes place in the schoolhouse.

Food trucks, arts and crafts and vendors will be ready for the crowd. The Cracker Trail Riders just completed the 38^th annual cross state ride and will be onsite with a variety of beautiful horses and maybe a miniature burro that kids love.

SAR/DAR (Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution) will be present from the Sebring and Okeechobee Chapters in period clothing.  Be sure and see the 400 year old Liberty Tree. James Dean will have a presentation at noon about the 250^th Anniversary of the American Revolution. This takes place at the Liberty Tree.

The historic Pearce home will be open for tours. The home is beautifully furnished and has a wraparound porch with inviting rockers. In its day the home would have been considered a mansion. The P4 Pearce Cattle Empire involved the whole family working for three generations.

Visitors to the school will be greeted by a real “school marm”. She was the teacher who taught all eight grades and all subjects. She was also allowed to discipline and even paddle students.  Organizers are seeking names of those who attended one-room schools for a possible reunion at a later time.

Also, worthwhile visiting is the Pearce family cemetery located near the school.

Butch and Donna Thompson, owners of the homestead, have put in more ramps and sidewalks to make it easier for getting around and also there are new restrooms inside the huge pavilion with a stage. A tram picks up folks all day long. There is handicap parking area and also golf carts will pick up people in the parking areas so they won’t have to walk very far. Sponsor and Vendor Opportunities are still available.

For more information Email: nfisk1949@gmail.com  (Heritage Association of Highlands County).