Lake Wales Pioneer Days Festival
October 24–25, 2026 (50th annual)
Lake Wailes Park, 325 S. Scenic Hwy
The Lake Wales History Museum's free heritage festival celebrates its 50th year in 2026 with historical demonstrations, pioneer crafts, a Community Market, live entertainment, and the Pioneer of the Year Award.
Held every October at Lake Wailes Park, Pioneer Days is the Lake Wales History Museum's signature event — a free weekend of blacksmithing, candle making, basket weaving, and other living-history demonstrations in the Heritage Village.
The festival also runs an artisan Community Market, traditional festival food, live music, and Beers with Pioneers, and each year recognizes a local legend with the Pioneer of the Year Award.
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