Live Oak & Lake City
Central Florida

The typical central Florida town of Live Oak with its ancient oak trees and historic buildings has a timeless feel. One such example is the Suwannee County Historical Museum, housed in the town's old railroad station with exhibits which include a recreation of a 16th century Timucaun Native American Village and numerous artifacts that contributed to the development of the community. On Sundays, Live Oak hosts a well-attended farmers' market that is worth visiting for its selection of local produce.

THE FRESHWATER CAPITAL OF AMERICA...
Based in Columbia County, the Lake City area is a spring-fed oasis with more than one hundred springs - it is known as the freshwater capital of America. Visitors can cool off in the crystal clear 72 degree water, laze around in inner tubes or indulge their passion for snorkeling, canoeing or Kayaking. For those not wishing to take to the water, the springs are a magnet for Florida’s varied wildlife, including turtles, alligators, herons and limpkin.

HEALING WATERS AND A TRIP BACK IN TIME...
White Springs originally marked the boundary between the lands of the Timucan Indians in the west and the Apalachees Indians in the east. Considered a sacred healing ground, the warring tribes would put aside their differences in order to both bathe in and drink the spring waters. Word of the spring's healing qualities spread among the early settlers and in the early 1800s a hotel was built on the site so visitors could come and bathe in the healing spring waters. By the end of the century there were 14 hotels and numerous boarding houses gathered around the area in order to accommodate the influx of visitors. When the riverboat era came to an end, the town went into decline and it seems to be preserved in a time capsule, forever a reminder of a more sedate and innocent time. Today you can still see the Adams' Brothers General Merchant Store, established in 1865, three turn-of-the-century churches and the numerous homes that make up the White Springs Historic District - a collection of 88 structures that can be found listed in the National register of Historic Places.

FAMOUS PERFORMERS AND TRADITIONAL CRAFTS...
Held in White Springs, the Florida Folk Festival, which started in 1953 and has grown year on year, is one of America's oldest and largest folk festivals. From its venue in the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Centre, the festival now attracts artists and performers from across the country. Past performers have included Rosanne Cash - daughter of the late country music legend, Johnny Cash - David Holt, a four-time Grammy winner and Vickie Genfan, who has been called the Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar. Traditional crafts on display include woodturning, cotton & wool spinning, hand weaving, broom, basket and furniture making. Visitors can purchase many of the craft items on display at Amphitheatre and Old Marble Crafts which showcases the great variety of Florida’s artists and natural resources. Food is well represented with cooks creating unique flavours using the ingredients and the traditions their families brought when they first settled in the State. Recent immigrants from Trinidad and Greece have added warm curries, fragrant rice, light pastries and seasoned lamb. The festival has something for everyone, with other activities including workshops, interpretative and folk dancing, banjo and fiddle contests.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS...
Big Shoals State Park is home to the largest whitewater rapids in Florida with the Suwannee River crashing over the shoals creating Class III rapids and challenging the most intrepid canoe or kayak enthusiast. High above the Suwannee River on the limestone bluffs you can view outstanding vistas not found anywhere else in the State. With over 30 miles of woodland trails, the park is an ideal location for hiking, biking, horseback riding and viewing wildlife.

SPORTING EXCELLENCE...
Lake City is home to Florida’s official sports memorabilia museum and the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, whose mission is to create a state of the art sports' educational facility dedicated to preserving, honoring and promoting the tradition of sporting excellence.

RE-ENACTMENT OF THE BATTLE OF OLUSTEE...
The Olustee State Park commemorates Florida’s largest Civil War battle, which took place on February 20th 1864. The five hour battle involved more than 10,000 troops, including three U.S. Colored Troops and the famous 54th Massachusetts. When the fog of war had cleared the Union troops retreated to Jacksonville and 2,807 men lay dead or dying. The North and South once

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