The 124th Big Cypress Celebration is Coming Soon
Saturday, May 11th will be a day of exciting entertainment and Seminole tradition. This year marks the 124th Big Cypress Anniversary Celebration. Here, families can immerse themselves in a historical culture while attending a cherished event that has been going on for over a century. No Shortage of Fantastic Entertainment The Big Cypress Anniversary Celebration seeks to preserve some very important values; integrity, culture, heritage and tradition. What’s the best way to achieve that? Exhibiting Florida Seminole customs in the most fun way possible! Alligator wrestling with Freestyle Alligator Wrestling Competition, exhibits and displays from the Seminole Tribe’s owned Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki museum, carnival rides, traditional Native American shows, Seminole arts and crafts and plenty of delicious Seminole (and American fare) will be available. All-day entertainment also means the Celebration has prepared more than 6 hours of back-to-back live concerts for no additional fees. This year their lineup features critically acclaimed country singer Gary
Class is in Session in the Florida Everglades
In the current age of technology, many have realized that teaching and learning can often feel mundane. What is meant to enrich the mind and inspire passion ends up feeling like a burden. Repetitive routines often hinder the ability to absorb new information, which can be particularly dull for young learners. For this reason, educators are constantly in search of exciting, new ways to spice up their curriculum. Thankfully, school field trips to Billie Swamp Safari can easily provide the getaway experience so many have been trying to incorporate into the classroom. Experiential Natural Science School field trips are a vital part of any educational curriculum as they allow for freedom to get out of the classroom setting, experience something new, and above all, have a little fun. So, what happens if academic learning can be paired with the fun? Everyone wins! As such, school field trips at Billie Swamp Safari can
Gretchen Wilson Headlines 2019 Seminole Tribal Fair & Pow Wow
The Seminole Tribe of Florida will host its 48th annual celebration of Native culture and arts on February 8-10, 2019 in Hollywood, Florida. The 2019 Seminole Tribal Fair & Pow Wow will be held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino property in Hollywood. Events will be held in the Hard Rock Event Center. The event is free and open to the public. The three-day Native American festival is perfect for children and adults alike. There is something for everyone. As one of Florida’s best kept event secrets, the 2019 Tribal Fair will be headlined by country music star Gretchen Wilson. Gretchen made her debut in March 2004 with the Grammy Award-winning single "Redneck Woman," a number-one hit on the Billboard country charts. The song served as the lead-off single of her debut album, Here for the Party. She will perform on Sunday, February 10 at 3PM at the Hard Rock
Birds of the Florida Everglades
The Florida Everglades, rich in history, beauty and culture, are also home to some of the most magnificent creatures the North America has to offer; birds. As the only subtropical preserve in all of North America, the Everglades provides the most significant breeding grounds for tropical wading birds. Here, more than 350 different species of birds have been seen, including bitterns, storks, even endangered species like the ultra-rare Snail Kites. So, the next time you venture to the Florida Everglades, don’t forget to bring your binoculars, camera, sunscreen and bird field identification book. Role in Nature Ecologically, birds assist the environment in so many ways. Some birds aid in plant reproduction through pollination or seed dispersion, and others provide a host body for parasites. Birds naturally sustain population levels and serve as food after death, much like any other species. The most common rule of thumb in the Everglades is, the healthier
The Best Season of the Year
As most of the country has experienced some harsh winter elements already, Florida Seminole Tourism is gearing up for its busiest part of the year, Winter season. As one of only a handful of subtropical locations in North America, the Florida Everglades boasts mild weather, gorgeous scenery and diverse animal and plant life.The winter season is dry and comfortable, making it one of the best times of year to visit the Seminole Big Cypress Indian Reservation. Sunny days in the 70’s are followed by crisp nights in the low 60’s. Whether your experiencing the wild at Billie Swamp Safari or parking your RV at Big Cypress RV Resort, this time of year is a welcome retreat from the hot, mosquito filled days of summer. Seminole Big Cypress Indian Reservation makes up 82 square mile in the Florida Everglades, and much of it remains untouched since the Seminoles first arrived over 300 years
No Shortage of Things to do in the Florida Everglades
When you come to the Florida Everglades, you are in for a real treat. There are so many things to do, see, touch and learn! The Florida Everglades conjures descriptions of a vast swampland with alligators, birds, panthers, frogs and snakes. This wild environment, covering a large part of the state’s southern end, holds great secrets and mystery. The Florida Everglades are a place filled with water, wildlife and wonder. It is an ecosystem that has been home to the Florida Seminole Tribe for over 300 years. A place they fled to for survival; which no one gave chase as the land was thought to be inhabitable. Not only did they survive, but the Seminoles flourished magnificently. How much do you know about this vast environment? Rather than get you confused with a multitude of facts, here are ten quick ones to get you started: The Everglades is more than 1,508,538 acres
Protecting the Everglades is Vital
Conserving and protecting the Florida Everglades and its wildlife is a top priority for the Seminole Tribe. It’s been said that “the land and Seminoles are one, and if the land perishes, then so do the Seminoles.” With countless species of animals, many endangered or threatened, it’s easy to see why so many groups, both private and public work towards this goal. A wetland of international importance, the Everglades is one of the last natural environments in the United States where families can enjoy sightseeing, adventure and more. There aren’t many landscapes as spectacular in America as the Florida Everglades. An impressive aquatic ecosystem covering more than 18,000 square miles, the Florida Everglades is a natural marvel. It also home to a plethora of plants and animals - some threatened or endangered. Aside from its natural beauty, the ecosystem provides millions of South Floridians with drinking water and is a vital
Seminole Tribe: Then and Now
During the 20th Century, the United States was home to an estimated 50 million indigenous people. In the early 16th century, approximately 200,000 Natives were living in Florida specifically, a number that today has dwindled nearly tri-fold due to widespread disease, enslavement and war. The powerful journey of Native Americans has been one of resilience and prosperity, and one that eventually led to the creation of the Florida Seminole Tribe. Still, many Americans have yet to discover the rich culture and powerful history that surrounds the Seminoles and their journey into Big Cypress Reservation in the Florida Everglades. Seminoles Then The Seminoles are considered part of the Five Civilized Tribes, dubbed so by early Anglo-European settlers- along with the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw and Creek tribes. During the 17th and 18th centuries, long before the Seminole tribe was formed, Native American populations shrank due to disease, slavery and murder brought on by