Special Events for Dudley Farm Historic State Park

• FALL HARVEST
  Date: October and November, 2009.
  Description: In October, and November, visitors can help harvest heirloom crops of field corn, sweet potatoes, pumpkins. Corn shucking, corn shelling, corn grinding and winnowing will be in progress.
  
  Call the park for specific dates and times.
  Fees: Regular park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-472-1142.
  
  
• SUGAR CANE GRINDINGS
  Date: Saturday, December 5, 2009. 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
  Description: This is the annual Cane Grinding and commemoration of Miss Myrtle Dudley's birthday. This event continues the farm family tradition of grinding sugar cane and boiling cane syrup, making this a unique old-time community gathering. Visitors can tour the farm and see other traditional activities and craft demonstrations or enjoy a wagon ride. Syrup and farm products are sold on this day.
  
  Fees: Regular park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-472-1142.
  
  Participation Requirements
  
  
• DUDLEY FARM PLOW DAYS
  Date: Friday and Saturday, February 5th & 6th, 2010.
  Description: Mule teams and draft horses demonstrate old-time farming before the days of tractors as they prepare the fields for spring planting.
  
  School groups will be given guided tours on Friday, February 5th. Reservations are required two months in advance. Please call 352-472-1142.
  
  Fees: Regular park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-472-1142.
  
  

Dudley Farm Historic State Park Ranger Programs

• PAUSE AND PONDER TRAIL
  Enjoy this .3 miles loop trail at Dudley Farm’s Visitors Center. This is your chance to take a quiet, meditative walk through the diverse habitat of Dudley Farm’s woodlands. The trail begins and ends at the park’s picnic area.
  
  Participation Requirements
  
  Call 352-472-1142 for more details.
• DUDLEY FARM TREE-SURE HUNT
  This self-guided walk highlights the trees around the Dudley Homestead. These include native upland trees and introduced species. Pick up your brochure at the Visitors Center.
  
  Call 352-472-1142 for more details.
• TRADITIONAL CRAFTS & DOMESTIC SKILLS WORKSHOP
  Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  This participatory program provides a resource person demonstrating a variety of traditional crafts and skills; including quilting, rug braiding, basketry, wood-working, and corn shuck crafts.
  Meets each Wednesday of the month EXCEPT the 3rd Wednesday.
  
  
  Call 352-472-1142 for more details.
• SELF GUIDED TOUR
  A self-guided tour is available to all park visitors beginning at the visitor center. The self-guided tour goes through the farmstead where you can view the original Dudley Farm structures and see park personnel interpreting the farm through period living history demonstrations.
  
  Participation Requirements
  
  Call 352-472-1142 for more details.
• A DAY AT THE DUDLEY FARM
  Family Education Activities. This interactive educational guide for families provides an understanding of the natural and cultural history of the park, allowing you to have some fun while you learn.
  
  Participation Requirements
  
  Call 352-472-1142 for more details.
• SCHOOL EDUCATION PROGRAMS & TOURS
  Available for student groups from October through July. Call 352-472-1142 and leave your fax number to receive your teacher packets. Please make reservations two months in advance.
  
  Participation Requirements
  
  Call 352-472-1142 for more details.
• GUIDED PUBLIC TOURS
  For groups larger than ten. Call 352-472-1142 & leave your fax number to receive your information packets. Please make reservations two months in advance.
  
  Participation Requirements
  
  Call 352-472-1142 for more details.
• ORIGINAL LOG HOMESITE GUIDED WALK
  January thru June; 2nd Saturday of the month.
  This trail is featured January through June; the 2nd Saturday of the month from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  
  A ranger or docent will meet you at the Visitor Center at 10:00 a.m. for this behind-the-scenes view of the Dudley Farm that was before the existing 1880s farmstead. The original log homesite location and possible slave houses location will be pointed out. Participants will learn about Captain PBH Dudley, who established the original farm. This walk back through time traverses the original lane past 100-year-old split rail fences. One will experience the flavor of the true South while walking under ancient canopy live oaks and red cedars dripping with Spanish moss.
  
  Allow a leisurely hour or two for this new guided walk.
  
  Participation Requirements
  
  Call 352-472-1142 for more details.
• DUDLEY VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
  3rd Wednesday of the month.
  DUDLEY VOLUNTEER PROGRAM meets at the Visitor Center the 3rd Wednesday of each month October through July for 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. These diverse and interesting educational training programs are open to the public. Topics include: Cracker Florida, Genealogy, Florida’s Landscape Plants and Florida Pioneer Days.
  
  Participation Requirements
  
  Call 352-472-1142 for more details.
• SEASONAL SPRING SHOWPLACE
  March through May.
  At the turn of the century, neighbors would drive their horse and buggies past the Dudley Farmstead admiring the front yard showplace. Today visitors to Dudley Farm can see the spring bloom at its peak from March through May. Heirloom roses, amaryllis, larkspur and coreopsis and the champion state red buckeye tree provide a profusion of color.
  
  Call 352-472-1142 for more details.
• SUMMER FRUIT HARVEST DAYS
  June through August.
  Peaches, pears and figs ripen from June through August. Come join the summer harvest. Call the park for exact dates and times.
  
  Call 352-472-1142 for more details.
• FARM PRODUCTS AVAILABLE
  Wednesdays & Saturdays.
  Fresh farm products grown on Dudley farm are available for purchase at the Visitors Center Commissary on Wednesday’s and Saturday’s from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
  
  
  Call 352-472-1142. for more details.