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Celebrating The Legacy Of The Cracker Cowboy

published: March 19th 2010
by: J. Nielsen
source: HeraldTribune.com

Sometimes it is easy to forget that Manatee County, with its Gulf of Mexico shoreline and suburban lifestyle, has an agricultural economy.With 100 members in the Manatee County Cattlemen's Association and more than 50 working ranches in Manatee County, the month-long Manatee Heritage Days observance is a reminder of the county's roots.

On Saturday, an open house for Heritage Day at the Palmetto Historical Park and Manatee County Agricultural Museum focused on cowboys.

"One million head a year of cow and calf go out west from Florida," said Cully Rowell, president of the local cattleman's association.

The celebration included a visit from Pongo, the mascot steer of Palmetto High School's Future Farmers of America. Live music and demonstration of skills such as blacksmithing and whip cracking in addition to food provided by cattlemen's association were available for all.

"It's so nice when they put on things like this. This is wonderful. We're having a wonderful time," said Darlene Lynch, of Bradenton, who was attending the event with her two grandchildren.

Jimmy Peters, a photographer and artist, is exhibiting his black and white photographs of Florida cowboys at work in the various historic buildings in the historical park through April 23. In commemoration of Heritage Day, Peters signed a special postage cancellation stamp created for the event.

"We're here today serving lunch for the agricultural museum and to promote Jimmy's work," Rowell said.