Take Your Family on Vacation – to 1776

This summer, thousands of families will visit Florida. Your family can take a once-in-a-

lifetime trip through time and visit Florida 250 years ago.

Just in time for America 250, Theater with a Mission (TWAM) is bringing Florida

during the American Revolution back to life, with unique experiences for every member

of the family.

For animal lovers, there’s a petting zoo full of animals who made history in 1776 –

horses like the ones that scouts rode to tell Americans about British soldiers on the

march, cattle like the ones that raiders from Georgia stole from Florida ranchers during

the Revolution, and wild critters like the ones that colonists loyal to King George ran

into as they ran to Florida to escape persecution by the followers of George Washington.

For fans of dance, there’s a chance to see experts recreate minuets from 1776. Then you

can step into history and learn how to do a whole ballroom full of historic dances at a

Loyal Royal Florida Ball. There will be social dances from Spain and England, war

dances from Native Americans, and call-together-the-whole-community dances from

West Africa. All historic. All exhilaratingly fun to learn.

For foodies, there will be many old-fashioned kinds of cake and ice cream – one of

George Washington’s favorite treats – to celebrate the birthday of King George. Food

trucks will round out the menu with meals from Spanish, British, and African chefs

recreating recipes beloved for generations. Squirrel stew will give you a taste of

authentic Revolutionary War rations, and a Formal Tea will feature precisely the same

teas that revolutionaries dumped overboard during the Boston Tea Party.

For folks who favor parades, there will be competing processions of Loyalists and

Patriots, complete with contrasting flags, fanfares, marches, military formations, and

marshals. Workshops will teach you how to make your own historic hat, produce a

cockade proclaiming your allegiance to the Patriot or Loyalist Cause, sing along with the

marching songs that Floridians were singing in 1776, and join in the parades of your

choice.

For aficionados of game shows, TWAM will premiere Feuding Families in Florida 1776.

In this fast-moving family drama, your family can meet families who feuded about the

Revolution in Florida, discover Lope de Vega’s version of Romeo & Juliet (the most

famous family feud in theater history), and compete to win prizes by figuring out the

answers to questions about Florida 250 years ago.

All free. All family-friendly. All taking place at historic Goodwood Museum & Gardens in

Tallahassee on May 29-31, right at the start of summer vacation.

This summer, Time Travel for your family vacation! Details at

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