LABELLE  -- Ready for some family fun? It’s LaBelle Swamp Cabbage Festival time!

The 2022 festival’s “Red, White and Moo,” theme celebrates the area’s agricultural heritage, patriotic spirit and sense of fun, explained Keitha Daniels of the Swamp Cabbage Festival Committee.

The Swamp Cabbage Festival was originally sponsored by the LaBelle Jaycees. In 1966, the newly formed LaBelle Jaycees were searching for a project to sponsor that would encourage community pride and cooperation – something like Moore Haven’s Chalo Nitka, Fort Myer’s Edison Pageant of Light or Naples’s Swamp Buggy Days. Jaycees President Gary Lucia appointed Bernard Rasmussen and T.E. Hedges to study the idea. They came up with a proposal, noting the abundance of sabal palms, or as they are called locally “cabbage trees’’ in the area and remembering their importance to early settlers as both building material and food, Rasmussen suggested a “Swamp Cabbage Festival.” Hedges added this should be popular with visitors who had heard of this native delicacy-also known as “Hearts of Palm” – but had not tasted it.

The Jaycees adopted the project and began promoting an old-fashioned pioneer festival honoring Florida’s State tree, the sabal palm. The idea caught the imagination of the community, invited to participate. Soon, all LaBelle was preparing for the first Swamp Cabbage Festival.

The first festival held in January 1967 was such a success that a permanent Swamp Cabbage Festival Committee was set up with representatives from civic and youth groups and the local churches.

Over the years, the event has gotten bigger and involves the whole community. The festival is currently organized by the Swamp Cabbage Festival Committee, a non-profit civic organization. Any nonprofit organization or business in the LaBelle market area that chooses to participate may have one voting representative and one alternate on the committee. In addition, the committee has non-voting associate members.

“Swamp cabbage,” enjoyed by Florida pioneers, is the heart of the sabal palm tree. Traditionally, the heart of palm is cooked with garlic and salt pork, ham or bacon. More creative chefs have come up with recipes for Swamp Cabbage cookies, Swamp Cabbage fritters, Swamp Cabbage salad and more.

Each year since 1967, the festival committee chooses a grand marshal, who represents LaBelle’s community pride and pioneer spirit. This year’s grand marshal is Steve Nisbet.

The festival is one of Southwest Florida’s oldest and best known festivals, it brings thousands of people to LaBelle over the two days of celebration, every year. Festival activities include a 5K run, a parade, rodeo, armadillo races, bass tournament and more.

Most Swamp Cabbage Festival activities center along the banks of the scenic Caloosahatchee River. The festival fills Barron Park with vendors selling crafts and a variety of food. The weekend is loaded with entertainment.