Cracker Cowboy Day

Step back into Florida’s cattle ranching past and experience the sights sounds and skills of the legendary Florida Cracker Cowboys. Known for their distinctive braided leather whips, often stretching ten to twelve feet, the sharp crack of these whips helped guide cattle across open range and earned these cowmen their famous name.
Enjoy a full day of living history and hands on fun for all ages featuring
• Whip cracking presentations
• Blacksmith demonstrations
• Heading and heeling roping demonstrations
• Children’s roping activities
• Petting Zoo
• Cow camps
• Cowboy music
• Live entertainment
• Cowboy poetry
• Florida Cracker cows and horses
• Food vendors
• Unique shopping vendors
The first one hundred children visiting the petting zoo will receive a free cowboy or cowgirl hat while supplies last.
Yellowstone television series fans are invited to stop by the Trilby Depot to take photos with our cardboard cutout of Rip Wheeler.
Admission is ten dollars for adults, five dollars for students and free for children under five years old. Tickets are available at the gate only.
Parking is free. Donations are appreciated but not required. Some food and activities are cash only.
Vendor Information
We are currently accepting vendor applications and are especially interested in cowboy themed vendors produce plants and handmade goods. Vendor applications and payments are only accepted through our website at www.pioneerfloridamuseum.org.
Cracker Cowboy Student Field Trip Day
Friday March 6 2026 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Schools, homeschool groups and youth organizations are invited to a special student focused Cracker Cowboy living history experience.
Admission is eight dollars for students and chaperones. Parking is free. The concession stand will be open for food, drinks, snacks and desserts and is cash only.
This day will consist of self-guided tours for public private and homeschool students as they pass through a series of living history stations depicting Florida Cracker Cowboy life.
Pre-registration is required and can be completed at https://forms.gle/caJTqBXaaLnoNArk7.