A booming success

Boom!!! That was a prominent and lingering sound during the Ocali Country Days festival on Nov. 12 and 13, when historical re-enactors fired off a massive cannon several times during the two-day event. The sound reverberated all over the sprawling Silver Springs State Park campus that houses the Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center and Pioneer Village, to the alternating delight and dismay of many guests.

The festival featured living history exhibits highlighting life during the 1800s, such as the making of sugar cane syrup, the tanning of leather, pottery making and weaving on a loom.

Volunteers in period costumes greeted visitors to the authentic and replica pioneer cabins and homes, groups such as the Front Porch Backsteppers entertained and a number of vendors presented information, goods and food for sale.

The venue is a program of Marion County Public Schools and is open to the public on weekends. To learn more, visit silverrivermuseum.com