Pioneer Park Days Festivals

Situated along the beautiful Peace River, Pioneer Park creates a serene setting for its campers. But one week out of the year, Pioneer Park attracts several hundred thousand people.

 

Pioneer Park Days is a show of antique gas engines and antique cars. It's a parade and a flea market. And it means people from all over the country traveling to Hardee County.

 

But Pioneer Park Days hasn't always been such an event. In its beginning, a few local hobbyists (namely Earle Nickerson and Tony Ullrich) met to display their antique gas engines. The enthusiasm of Nickerson and Ullrich soon attracted members of the "Florida Flywheelers", and by March of 1967, several hundred people were meeting at Pioneer Park.

 

The growth of the show prompted the First National Bank of Wauchula to sponsor the event to keep it going. Tommy Underwood, president of the bank and a member of the "Florida Flywheelers", suggested the adoption of the name "Pioneer Park Days".

 

The sponsorship and name meant expansion for Pioneer Park Days, and two additional people were appointed to help with the 1968 show. Elizabeth Underwood started a flea market, and Emerson Clavel, a member of national auto clubs, gained the interest of antique car owners.

 

By 1978, the Show had become so popular the Parks and Recreation Board gave Pioneer Park Days its support. Also in 1978, the County Commissioners lent the services of County personnel to help with the Show. Personnel Director George N. Collins was appointed coordinator for the yearly event.

 

In 1980, a parade was added to the scheduled activities. It has been held continuously each year in downtown Wauchula, except for 1987, when it was cancelled because of inclement weather.

 

After the 1987 show, the First National Bank of Wauchula, the first and only sponsor of this great event, withdrew their support. Because of the event's tremendous impact and value, the Board of County Commissioners of Hardee County elected to sponsor the Show in its entirety, starting with the 1988 celebration.

 

For those Show-goers who need a break, free entertainment is provided each day and evening of the event under capable direction of Luther Colbert. And for those who work up an appetite, there is a large variety of food, prepared by local civic, church, school groups, and non-profit organizations, available throughout the Show.

 

Besides providing something for just about everyone, Pioneer Park Days is also an asset to the County and its business community.

 

Pioneer Park Days... what started out as a hobby is now the largest event in Hardee County, and one of the largest events of its kind in the country.