The Englewood Pioneer Days Planning Committee has announced the theme for the 2012 Englewood Pioneer Days will be “HATS OFF TO ENGLEWOOD!.” Members of the Englewood community were asked to suggest themes and while many were excellent, this was felt to be a real winner. It was suggested by Cathy Redman, who organizes the Michael J. O’Donnell Fishing Tournament for the event.
“Hats Off” is, of course a recognized way to give a salute to something of value – and there are so many things of value in Englewood that it’s hard to count them all. From a caring community to sunsets on the beach, Englewood has an unequaled ambience that calls for a “hats off” acknowledgment.

The Englewood historians on the committee also felt that this theme brings in many opportunities to remember the history of our town. In its earliest days, Englewood pioneers valued their hats as protection from the weather as they worked on their farms, ranches, and fishing nets. Both women and men wore hats and sometimes wove them from palm leaves.

The theme also brings back the early Englewood Pioneer Days hat “celebrations.” For many years, women marched in the parade wearing the wildest hats they could create – and aiming to win first place in the hat contest. In 1958 derbies for the men and sunbonnets for the women were available and, if anyone was caught not wearing their special hat, they were put in “jail” and had to pay “bail” to get out. 1959 saw a “crazy hat” parade, and in 1972 the purchase of a straw hat got you into many of the events. The committee says to watch for some “hat” event during the Englewood Pioneer Days Parade which will be on Labor Day, Monday, September 3 and the Arts Alliance of Lemon Bay has plans to help crazy hat makers -- that is, makers of crazy hats -- create and show off their products.

Returning to the celebration, which starts August 24 and ends September 3, will be favorites such as the Cardboard Boat Race, the Shipwreck Dance, the Michael J. O’Donnell Fishing Tournament, The Lemon Bay Womans Club’s Diaper Derby, F.A.M.E.’s “Mayor for A Day,” the tour of Lois Bartlett Tracy’s Artists Acres, the Photo Contest and, of course, the Park Festivals and the 56th Englewood Pioneer Days parade. There will be a new "Mad Hatter's Kids Fun Run" before the parade, some new sports events over the weekend, and a Poker Run. Expect to see new “Little Miss/Mr Englewood” kings and queens in the Jaycee sponsored event, and a new “Englewood Idol” crowned at the Lemon Bay High School auditorium.

There are plans for new events as well and they will be announced as the plans finalize.

Forms for parade and vendors for the September 3rd celebration will be available on the web site: www.englewoodpioneerdays.com as of June 1. Participation in these events is limited, so getting an application in early is important. The site will also be the link to all Englewood Pioneer Days events and community participation. New things and information will be added regularly, so check back!

Volunteers are needed to help with this celebration. Any individual or organization interested is invited to attend the next meeting on June 20 at 6:00 PM in the meeting room at the Elsie Quirk Library.