Payment and Registration Deadlines: 11/26 for Tuesday, Dec. 3rd 11/27 for Wednesday, Dec. 4th CRACKER COUNTRY FIELD TRIPS Florida State Fairgrounds 4800 Hwy 301 N. Tampa, FL 33610 RURAL HOME LIFE Tuesday, December 3, 2024 Grades 1-5 Tour from 10:00-12:15pm Lunch from 12:15-1:00pm $11 for Students $15 for Adults RURAL HOME LIFE + EXTENDED TOUR Wednesday, December 4, 2024 Grades 4-8 Tour from 10:00-2:00pm Lunch from 12:15-1:00pm $17 for Students $21 for Adults Rural Home Life Tour: Bring your students and discover the daily lives of Florida’s pioneers. Spend the morning immersed in a rural Florida community of the past and learn how a late 19th century rural family survived. Try your hand at farm and household chores, explore community buildings and learn the skills of Florida’s pioneers. Students will take back to their modern world knowledge of the differences and similarities between their lives and those of children in 1898. All groups will dip a candle, visit our train station and shop in our Cracker Country General Store. Extended Tour (Wednesday Only): Stay a little longer and explore some of Florida’s pioneering industries. What makes Florida a good place to raise cattle? What vegetables did Florida farmers choose to grow? Did orange trees always grow here? Why was steam power important to historic Floridians? What to expect: Learn to pack like a cowhunter and make a leather craft to take home; explore the history of citrus in the Sunshine State and sample some home-grown orange juice; design an advertisement to bring more farmers to 1890s Florida; experience our collection of antique stationary steam engines! Please Note: This tour takes place in Cracker Country. Lunch: Groups are welcome to bring a picnic lunch. Picnic tables and restroom facilities are provided for use after the tour ends. Please leave all lunches and coolers in a vehicle until it is time for lunch. Note there are no food service facilities on the Fairgrounds. Shopping: Bring money for souvenirs. Each group will have the opportunity to visit our gift shop. In the Cracker Country General Store you will find a wide selection of historical toys, games, candy, books, 1890s reproductions and much more. Prices start at an affordable $0.50. The General Store accepts cash and all major credit cards. Vehicles must enter the Fairgrounds via the Orient Road Service Entrance ONLY. Please park in Cracker Country Car & Bus parking located near the Florida State Fair Gate 2. The Admissions Booth is located at the Florida State Fair Gate 2. Please note that GPS devices will bring you to the public entrance which will be locked. Be sure to follow the directions on our website directing you to the Orient Road Service Entrance ONLY. For more detailed instructions, click here. Spaces are limited and will be reserved as payments are received. To secure your spot, please make your payment within one week of registration. The easiest and quickest way to hold your spot is by paying online. If you choose to pay by cash or check and spaces fill up before your payment is received, you will be placed on the waitlist. You may pay online or by dropping payment by the Homeschool Resource Center or mail to Tampa Bay HEAT, 1011 Knowles Rd. Brandon, FL 33511. For questions email [email protected] | 
