Events in Bradford County, Florida and Things to Do

Events in Bradford County include areas of Brooker, Hampton, Lawtey, and Starke. This region of North Florida may not cover much land, only 294 square miles, but it has an overabundance of things to do. Southern hospitality is definitely one thing you’ll find in this part of the sunshine state. Expect the locals to be neighborly the moment you enter the area. A place where strangers quickly become friends. If you enjoy the country life, this rural community is the place for you. Water activities are on the top of the list for area attractions with boating, swimming and fishing always being a good time. There are five publicly accessible lakes in Bradford county; Hampton Lake, Lake Sampson, Lake Rowell, Crosby Lake, and Santa Fe Lake. Kingsley Lake just outside of Starke is a very popular lake as well.

Events in Bradford County, Florida that you don’t want to miss!

Bradford County Fair – March

The annual Bradford County Fair will feature Cattle and Swine, their respective shows and sales. The Goat and Poultry exhibitions will be back this year as well. Lots of great food will be returning including The Kiwanis Club, featuring their great Bar-B-Que and other delicacies, The Rotary Club, featuring their funnel cakes!, along with Shands Hospital Auxiliary serving their famous Strawberry Shortcake! … Visit Website

Bradford County Strawberry Festival – March

Bradford County is known locally for having the “Sweetest Strawberries this side of heaven.”  The annual Strawberry Festival held each year in March is a fun, family, friendly evet. A fun-filled two days of entertainment, food and vendors. And, of course, all the strawberries you can eat! … Visit Website

Friday Night Football and Lights

Football Season: The Bradford County High School’s football team, the Tornadoes, put on a spectacular light show when there are home games on Friday nights in the City of Starke. Be sure to stop by for some athletic fun and concession foods.

Christmas on Call Street

Visit the City of Starke’s Call Street every 2nd weekend in December to put yourselves into the Christmas spirit! Friday … we have music, live nativity and tree lighting of the town tree and lighting of the town lights. Vendors setup on Friday about 1 pm. Saturday … vendors are open all day, and there will be entertainment on the stage. The Christmas Parade will be at 6 pm Saturday night. The Miss Winterfest Girls will be around to do their Royal duties. After the parade is over, Santa will come to the Town Square to visit with the kids.

 

A Taste of Florida History

Bradford County, Florida has only 294.0 square miles of land area and is the 65th largest county in Florida by total area. There are 67 counties in the sunshine state. This small rural community in Northeast Florida is bordered by Alachua County, Florida, Union County, Florida, Clay County, Florida, Putnam County, Florida, and Baker County, Florida.

Bradford was founded on December 31, 1858 as New River County in 1858 but was renamed Bradford County in 1861. The county has a population of less than 30,000 people. The county seat is Starke. This area has a surplus of fascinating historical landmarks.

There are two wildlife management areas, the Santa Fe Swamp Wildlife Management Area and the Raiford Wildlife Management Area.

The Santa Fe Swamp Wildlife Management Area (WMA) consist of 7,272 acres and is open for fishing, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, hiking, and bicycling throughout the year. Children under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet when horseback riding on public lands. Hunting of white-tailed deer, feral hog, turkey, gray squirrel, and eastern cottontail rabbit is allowed in this WMA during specified seasons with primitive weapons only (bow and arrow and muzzleloader). For more information about this WMA please click here.

Raiford WMA consists of 9,141 acres and is located along the New River in northwest Bradford County. The New River flows through the center of the WMA, and Olustee Creek (which branches off of the New River) flows through the eastern portion of the WMA. Much of the area is closed or in private ownership but the remaining portion of the area is open for hunting during specified seasons. Wild turkey, white-tailed deer, gray squirrel, eastern cottontail rabbit, gopher tortoise, raccoon, and red-tailed hawk are some of the wildlife species that can be found in the area. For more information about this WMA please click here.

 

To learn more about this area… Click here.. Bradford County Government 

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