FORT BASINGER — The Heritage Association of Highlands County is getting ready to celebrate Heritage Festival 2026 at the historic Pearce Homestead, Fort Basinger. This event will be celebrating the 250 Year Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4,1776.
The festival will be from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12. Cost is $10 per car.

List of Events:
• The Lee Alcorn Band and Barney & Nancy Niesse will be performing,
• scheduled for the first time is a parade honoring the 250 Year Anniversary - 10 a.m.
• speaker James Dean-president of SAR-Highlands County - 11 a.m.,
• Color Guard - l1 a.m.,
• meet the Pearce Family on stage - 12:15 p.m.,
• Cloggers - 1 p.m. on stage,
• Barney & Nancy - 2-4 p.m.,

• Ecological Boat tours 10:30 a.m - 2:30 p.m., register early at the boat ramp,
• quilt turning and spinning at the Schoolhouse - 1:45 p.m.,
• be sure and visit the Florida Cracker Trail Riders.
• take a tour of the historic Pearce homestead,
• visit the Native Rescue exhibit,
• Brahman cows near the schoolhouse,
• Kid’s Zone, and
• and Toby’s Clowns,

A small classroom has been created in the schoolhouse. Also in the schoolhouse will be an exhibit of 13 United States presidential portraits special for the 250 Year Anniversary. These are the same portraits that hang in the Oval Office or Whitehouse.

Sunday schedule: Lee Alcorn Band - 10 a.m.: Cowboy Church - 11 a.m. to noon: Ukelele players - 1:30 p.m.; Quilt turning and spinning - 1 p.m. at the schoolhouse.

Brahman Cattle were part of the ranch
Visit the brahman cows near the schoolhouse. The Pearce family used brahmans for their cattle ranch. The brahman breed was from India. They have loose skin and a large hump and have a glossy coat that allow them to withstand extreme heat and humidity. Their thick skin provides resistance to ticks and flies. They do well in Florida.

The Pearce Residence
At the time of Edna Pearce’s death, she specified that her home be set aside by the Trustees as a historical site. Her estate was put up for auction in 2017 and Butch and Donna Thompsom bid on it and they obtained the Pearce property. Butch didn’t want to see it developed and the house torn down. He believed the historic property should be saved.

Directions to the Pearce Homestead — From Okeechobee take U.S. 98. Go over the Kissimmee River Bridge and make a left turn on to CR 721. Go a short distance on the left to 70 Boondock Road.

For more information: Email: nfisk1949@gmail.com or www.heritageassociation.org