Caladium Festival 2021

CALADIUM 

schedule of evenTs 

Page 3 

Things To do 

Details Page 3 

Take a leisurely 

Bus Tour 


caladium fesTival 

car & Bike show 


See pageS 20-21 for the official Vendor Map 

This Section Sponsored by 

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120 US Highway 27 S | Lake Placid, FL 

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A Special Publication of

2 30th Annual Caladium Festival July 21, 2021 

The Greater 

Lake Placid 

Chamber of Commerce 

“Building a Future that reflects our past” 

PRESIDENT 

Vicki Spires 

MidFlorida Credit Union 

1 ST VICE PRESIDENT 

Donald Clarke 

Clarke Pest Control 

Clarke Self Storage 

2 ND VICE PRESIDENT 

Bill Brantley 

Brantley Construction 

SECRETARY 

Kim Miller 

Clarke Pest Control 

TREASURER 

Curtis Slade III 

First Insurance 

of Lake Placid 

PAST PRESIDENT 

Jessica Hart-Howard 

Heartland 

Property Doctors 

DIRECTORS 

Tiffany Bender 

AdventHealth 

Mary Birge 

SouthState Bank 

Jean Deuth 

Lake & Land Realty 

of Highlands Inc. 

John Varady 

The School Board of 

Highlands County 

Gilbert Randall 

Beef O’Brady’s 

The Barn at Paso Fino 

Katie Wilson 

Remax Realty Plus 

Jennifer M Bush 

Executive Director 

July, 2021 

Dear Residents and Visitors, 

We are delighted to invite you to the Caladium Capital of the World – Lake Placid, 

Florida – for our annual festival celebrating these lovely plants. First time visitors to 

our area are always excited to discover an abundance of heritage and culture in such 

a small community. Frequent visitors return to enjoy our friendly residents and our 

amazing quality of life. 

This will be the 30 th year of the Caladium Festival and this feature from the 

Highlands New-Sun if filled with detailed information about the festival. There 

are three days of free entertainment for your enjoyment. Also inside you’ll discover 

more about Saturday’s Caladium Festival 24 th Annual Car & Bike Show. 

Please plan to visit the offce of the Greater Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce 

located just one block from the festival – where you can view a free video about 

the history of caladiums. The Mural Room is also located here; you may view the 

original artwork for all the murals. Our offce is the clearing house for all events and 

attractions in our area. You’ll quickly see why Lake Placid is so popular. 

There will be many opportunities to purchase your own caladium bulbs and plants 

at the festival. To see where the bulbs originate, meet the growers, and learn how 

they will look at your home or place of business, you will want to consider an 

air conditioned bus tour through our town and to the beautiful fields. Buses will 

also take you to view a neighborhood filled with caladiums, as well as seeing the 

plantings throughout our town. There will be a caladium grower on the bus to 

answer all of your questions. We encourage you to make your bus reservations early 

as they sell out quickly. 

The 2021 Caladium Festival will be waiting for you! Visit for the entire weekend 

and enjoy Lake Placid. Additional information and bus tour reservations can 

be obtained at www.CaladiumFestival.org or call the Lake Placid Chamber of 

Commerce at 863-465-4331 

Sincerely, 

Jennifer M. Bush 

Executive Director 

Visit Lake Placid … Enjoy the Experience 

Greater Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce 

18 N. Oak Ave. Lake Placid, Florida 33852-9546 

Phone 863-465-4331 

Web Site: www.visitlakeplacidflorida.com • Email: information@lpfla.com

July 21, 2021 30th Annual Caladium Festival 3 

Lake Placid was voted “America’s Most Interesting 

Town” in an online contest sponsored by Reader’s 

Digest magazine in December 2012. Known as the 

Caladium Capital of the World, Lake Placid has 27 

lakes, a multitude of beautiful murals that depict the 

town’s history, Toby’s Clown School and the historical 

Happiness Tower, which rises 270 feet above ground 

(the tower is no longer open to the public). 

The following are some of the things locals and 

visitors alike can do in and around Lake Placid during 

this year’s Caladium Festival: 

Murals, walking tour 

Forty-seven murals grace buildings throughout 

Lake Placid. Trash containers are also decorated. Visit 

the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce at 18 N. Oak 

Ave. to see The Mural Gallery, which houses original 

renderings. A short video details the murals’ history. 

There is no charge. Call 863-414-2394. 

Caladium tiles 

This permanent installation of 25 tiles came about 

to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the festival 

and to honor the town of Lake Placid as the Caladium 

Capital of the World. Each tile depicts different 

varieties of caladiums representative of local growers. 

The tiles are affixed to buildings in downtown Lake 

Placid, with six additional tiles on display on the front 

of the chamber building on Oak Avenue. This is a 

free, self-guided tour. For more information, visit the 

chamber office at 18 N. Oak Ave. 

Arts and crafts booths 

Close to 100 food vendors and arts and crafts 

booths will be present. The booths will be set up 

near Stuart Park, along Pine Avenue and Interlake 

Boulevard. Several food vendors, along with a beer 

garden and a wine tent, will be located in Stuart Park. 

Plants for sale 

Caladium plants will be for sale throughout the 

festival. Bates Sons & Daughters will sell the caladium 

plants. The booths will be located next to the entertainment 

pavilion. 

Wine tastings 

Secret Garden Winery will offer tastings of wine all 

three days of the event. The Wine Showcase tent will 

Things to do 

be located near the entertainment pavilion in Stuart 

Park. 

Beer garden 

The Caladium Festival will have a designated area 

for beer sales. This restricted area is sponsored by 

the Lake Placid Jaycees and will be located at a booth 

in Stuart Park. Wristbands will be provided with the 

presentation of valid identification. A variety of beers 

will be available. 

Art competition 

The Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce sponsors 

the Caladium Festival Art Competition. All artwork 

will be on display at the MidFlorida Credit Union 

Community Room, located at 6 N. Main Ave., 

throughout the festival. 

Caladium floral competition 

The Lake Placid Garden Club sponsors the 

Caladium Floral Competition, which features caladium 

floral arrangements each day of the festival. 

Entries must have all cut fresh flower material with no 

less than 80 percent caladiums in the design. There 

will be ribbons and prizes awarded for first, second 

and third places, professional and people’s choice 

awards. For more information, call 863-835-2419. 

Bus tours 

Bus tours around Lake Placid to see caladium fields 

and plantings and meet the growers are available. 

Advanced registration available until noon July 23 

for $12 per person. Day of the event price is $15 per 

person. 

The tour schedule is: 

Friday, July 23: 9:30 a.m.; 10:15 a.m.; 10:30 a.m. 

(handicapped accessible); 11 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. (handicapped 

accessible); noon; 1 p.m.; 1:30 p.m.; 2:15 p.m. 

Saturday, July 24: 9:30 a.m.; 9:45 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.; 

10:45 a.m.; 11 a.m.; 11:15 a.m. (handicapped accessible); 

11:30 a.m.; 11:45 a.m.; 12:15 p.m.; 1:30 p.m.; 

2:15 p.m. 

Sunday, July 25: 10:30 a.m. (handicapped accessible); 

11 a.m.; 11:30 a.m.; 12:30 p.m.; 1:30 p.m. 

Tours will leave from the Lake Placid Women’s 

Club, 10 N. Main Ave. Tours are filled on a first-come, 

first-served basis. Handicapped accessible buses are 

Schedule of Events 

FRIDAY, JULY 23 

10 a.m. National 

Anthem sung by Marti 

Capodiferro 

10:05 a.m. NoteWorthy 

10:20 a.m. Cool Breeze 

11:30 a.m. New 

Floridians 

12:15 p.m. Cool Breeze 

1 p.m. Sweet Fleet 

2 p.m. David Mains 

4 p.m. Festival closes 

SATURDAY, JULY 24 

9:45 a.m. National 


Capodiferro 

9:45 a.m. Mountain 

Dew Cloggers 

10 a.m. New Floridians 

10:30 a.m. Mountain 

Dew Cloggers 

10:45 a.m. New 

Floridians 

11 a.m. Mountain Dew 

Cloggers 

11:15 a.m. Mad 

Stringers 

12:15 p.m. Highland 

Celts 

1 p.m. Jersey Boys 


SUNDAY, JULY 25 

11 a.m. National 


Capodiferro 

11:05 a.m. New 

Floridians 

noon Celebration 

Singers 

1 p.m. Jersey Boys 

2 p.m. David Mains 


available. Deadline for advanced reservations at $12 

per person is July 23 at noon. For more information, 

call 863-465-4331 or visit lpfla.com. 

Car and bike show 

The Caladium Festival Car and Bike Show is 

Saturday, July 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at DeVane 

Park. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and closes at noon. 

The entry fee is $15 through noon Thursday, and $20 

the day of the event. Dash plaques and goody bags 

will be given to the first 150 registered vehicles. The 

awards presentation is at 2 p.m. The top three vehicles 

in each class will receive awards. There will be live 

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30th annual Caladium Festival Bus Tours 

Bus Tours will run on July 23, 24 and 25. 

Take a bus tour around Lake Placid to see beautiful plantings, the caladium fields and meet the growers that you will see at the festival. Advanced registration 

is preferred. Advance reservations for bus tours are $12 per tour until 7/25 at noon. Days of the event — $15 per tour. Tours are approximately 

one hour and leave from the Lake Placid Woman’s Club (10 North Main Avenue). They are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so reserve your spot 

early. Handicapped accessible buses are available. 

Caladium Festival Bus Tours Friday 

Jul 23 

9:30 a.m.; 10:15 a.m.; 10:30 a.m. Handicap accessible; 

11 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. Handicap accessible; 

noon; 1 p.m.; 1:30 p.m.; 2:15 p.m. 

Caladium Festival Bus Tours Saturday 

Jul 24 

9:30 a.m.; 9:45 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.; 10:45 a.m.; 

11 a.m.; 11:15 a.m. Handicap accessible; 

11:30 a.m.; 11:45 a.m.; 12:15 p.m.; 1:30 p.m.; 

2:15 p.m. 

Caladium Festival Bus Tours Sunday 

Jul 25 

10:30 a.m. Handicap accessible; 11 a.m.; 

11:30 a.m.; 12:30 p.m.; 1:30 p.m. 

Festival goers paid to take a bus tour of the caladium fields and see farm equipment as part of the 17th annual Caladium Festival in downtown Lake Placid. 

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2006, HIGHLANDS TODAY FILE PHOTO Spectators walk through the line up of classic cars during the 

Caladium Festival in Lake Placid. 

Calling all cars! to the 

annual Car & Bike Show 

By JERRY MEISENHEIMER 

CORRESPONDENT 

LAKE PLACID — After a year off due 

to COVID-19, the Car & Bike Show is 

back on again during the Lake Placid 

Annual Caladium Festival, July 24. So, if 

you have a fancy car, hot rod, or classic 

car or truck, you need to enter it in the 

show. Motorcycles are also welcome. In 

previous years, there were nearly 200 

entries. 

The Car & Bike Show is one of the 

biggest in the state and offers a ton 

of trophies and door prizes. There are 

actually 20 categories. So, your special 

SHOW | 34 

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Happiness Farms, caladium pioneer 

By AMANDA FERNANDEZ 

CORRESPONDENT 

LAKE PLACID — Family owned and 

operated for over 50 years, Happiness 

Farms is one of the original Caladium 

pioneer farmers. The caladium farm 

Serves both wholesale and retail 

markets, as well as homeowners. The 

company takes dignity in showcasing 

exceptional customer service. They 

grow 200 acres of caladium bulbs 

which get counted and packed by 

hand, ensuring the highest quality 

possible. 

Paul Phypers Sr., who had experience 

in potato farming, was 

successfully growing flowers in Lake 

Placid. This was due to the flourishing 

flower markets all along the East 

Coast in the 1940s. He purchased a 

40-acre banana farm from a woman 

named Mrs. Saunders on what had 

been part of Lake Clay. The mucky, 

lake-bottom land was great to grow 

Chrysanthemums, Easter Lilies and 

Gerbera Daises. 

Meanwhile, Max Hoffman (a sod 

farmer) was experimenting with 

growing caladiums in Lake Placid, 

despite it not seeming profitable and 

many not knowing what a caladium 

was. Two other families in the area, the 

Hendry and Bates family, also started 

growing caladiums in the 1950s. As 

time went on and caladiums gained 

popularity, the cut flower market 

that Paul Phypers Sr. found success 

in, started to become flooded with 

suppliers. It was in 1964 that Phypers 

submersed himself into the caladium 

industry and purchased half of the sod 

farm that Max Hoffman owned. 

Soon, Happiness Farms became 

the largest caladium grower in Lake 

Placid. Paul Phypers, Sr. left his legacy 

to his sons, Danny and Paul Phypers 

Jr., along with their wives, their children 

and their grandchildren. 

Over the years, Happiness Farms 

has integrated itself into the community 

that was deemed “Caladium 

Capital of The World.” A woman by the 

name of Doris Gentry came up with 

FARM | 35 

AMANDA FERNANDEZ/CORRESPONDENT 

Darlene Phypers and Danielle Daum, along with office administration 

Briana Haake and Lori Roulette with the Happiness Farms sign. 

Happiness Farms caladium field. They grow 200 acres of caladium bulbs which get counted and packed by hand. 


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Florida Boys continues a family legacy 


CORRESPONDENT 

LAKE PLACID — In 1948, LL and Vivian “Boots” 

Holmes started Lake Huntley Bulb Farm with a half 

bushel of seed. As time passed, they would move 

their operation from the shores of Lake Huntley to 

Lake Istokpoga, where they expanded up to 125 acres 

of caladiums and operated until 1966. Several years 

later, their son Bill Holmes started his own bulb operation 

and took on once more the name Lake Huntley 

Bulb Farm, while his son Jason Holmes would follow 

in his footsteps under the operation name Heartland 

Caladiums. 

Jason’s wife, Sandi Holmes, who left her physical 

therapist job in 2018 to work full time at Florida Boys, 

spoke on how they came to be the company they are 

today. “In 2000, we started our own business called 

Heartland Caladiums. And in 2015, we initiated 

Florida Boys Caladiums to get our children more involved 

in the business.” They have three boys Walker, 

Lincoln and Weston are the future fourth generation 

farmers. 

Sandi proudly explains that the oldest, Walker (17), 

has gotten more involved with the whole aspect of 

the business. “He actually helps with harvesting at 

times. He works daily, helping to fulfill orders and 

packing and counting up the bulbs.” She also happily 

mentions that her two other sons help with smaller 

tasks. The small family company manages 37 acres, 

and besides the helping hands of their three boys, 

have five main employees for the season. Jason 

Holmes though, is the Renaissance man and heart 

of Florida Boys. “He pretty much does everything,” 

said Sandi. “He is the one who plants the bulbs, he 

harvests the bulbs. He runs majority of the packing 

house, inventory, the fertilizing and the plowing.” 

For the first 15 years, they operated in wholesale. 

But as time went on and their children became more 

involved, they changed route and went retail. Florida 

Boys in the past year had 42 different varieties to 

BOYS | 35 


Future fourth generation farmers Walker, Lincoln and Weston. 


Workers at Florida Boys Caladiums take down a stack of bulbs. 


Jason Holmes with family: Sandi, Lincoln and Weston, and their 

family dog. 

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Classic Caladiums is just getting started 


CORRESPONDENT 

AVON PARK — Formed in 2000, 

Classic Caladiums aims to bring caladiums 

to their full potential. Their parent 

company, Abbot-Ipco of Dallas, Texas, a 

large bulb broker, has been an international 

source of caladium bulbs and 

more since the early 1970s. Feeling as if 

the caladium market was being under 

supplied, Abbot-Ipco decided to get 

into the bulb production business with 

the help of Dr. Robert (Bob) Hartman to 

guide them to success. 

Dr. Hartman is the President and 

CEO of Classic Caladiums and a 

very accomplished horticulturist. 

He graduated from the University of 

Florida with degrees in Plant Pathology 

and Entomology, and a minor in 

Ornamental Horticulture. He’s been 

involved with multiple horticultural 

businesses, including starting his own 

plant cloning company which he sold to 

Ciba Geigy in 1984. “I was working for 

a plant cloning company and thought 

it might be interesting to go into the 

Caladium business,” said Dr. Hartman. 

“So we joined forces. We’d known each 

other for 30 years.” 

From then on, Classics has only 

evolved. And with the help of his team, 

manages 850 acres of production. This 

production puts Classic Caladiums 

as the biggest producers of Caladium 

bulbs in the world. 

The company first started with about 

30 varieties and now sells roughly 100 

varieties, some the traditional kind, 

but they also specialize in “not your 

granny’s caladiums.” With Dr. Hartman 

not only being one of three people that 

breed caladiums, but also being a Cell 


Dr. Robert (Bob) Hartman in the caladium fields with raised bed. 

culturist and having a degree in Plant 

Pathology, he and his team have created 

and renovated what caladiums can look 

like as well as their performance. 

Clay Wallace, head grower of the 

finished caladium program said, “As 

you clean the caladiums up, different 

traits are expressed. You can see inside 

the leaf better it’s cleaner, brighter. So, 

you can see different genes.” Wallace 

explained it as a couple who both have 

dark hair birthing a child who is a 


Close-up of caladiums at Classic Caladiums in Avon Park. 

redhead. “Instead of saying, ‘Oh crap, 

you know what colors the milkman?’ 

you say, ‘I like that’ and so you pick out 

the traits that are expressed and you 

continue to express them.” 

By being able to see those characteristics 

and being able to do the 

work in-house, Classic Caladiums can 

customize and experiment, creating 

a whole new look. One of Wallace’s 

favorites is a caladium that has a white 

leaf that measures 16 by 18 inches, 

with dark prominent veins and a black 

stem. In fact, they are close to having 

one hundred patented caladiums. Dr. 

Hartman mentions a variety they have 

patented called Real Red River with a 

red color and very curly leaves, more 

curly than usual. “And we got some negative 

feedback,” said Wallace. “I mean 

it was just too curly and so we’ve been 

looking for still curly, just flatter. And so, 

CLASSIC | 36 

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Bates Sons & Daughters continue the family tradition 


CORRESPONDENT 

LAKE PLACID — Founded by Emmett 

Bates after returning from World War II, 

Bates Sons (now known as Bates Sons 

and Daughters) is one of the first, and 

long-lasting caladium growers, in Lake 

Placid. What started off as a five-gallon 

bucket of mixed bulbs has blossomed 

to one hundred acres of brightly colored 

and uniquely named caladiums. Not 

only are Bates Sons and Daughters rich 

in land but in community history as 

well. 

The family company is one of the two 

families responsible for giving a hand 

in starting the now famous Caladium 

Festival. The idea for the celebration 

was first presented by Doris Gentry. In 

1990, Dot Bates and Carolyn Phypers of 

Happiness Farms, along with Ann Bond 

and Audrey Vickers with the Convention 

and Visitors Bureau, hosted the first 

festival at Happiness Farms. Dot and 

Carolyn went above and beyond to 

make sure the festival was a success. 

For instance, prior to the event, Dot 

and Carolyn drove around town in a 

pick-up truck and went door to door offering 

free bulbs to anyone who would 

plant them for bus tours. The tours 

would not only pass by the caladium 

fields but also drove past the beautifully 

caladium decorated homes to showcase 

how people could incorporate them 

into the landscape. 

The first festival was mainly locals but 

has since boomed into the main attraction 

every summer for many all over 

the country. Leading up to the festival, 

the entire town (homes and businesses 

alike) adorn their properties in caladiums 

all the way down to Devane Park, 

AMANDA FERNANDEZ/ 

CORRESPONDENT 

where the festival is now held. Though 

the festival was cancelled last year due 

to COVID-19, Bates Sons and Daughters 

are very excited to take part again in the 

festivities. 

“We’re looking forward to it, it’s a 

good time,” said Terri Bates, owner of 

Bates Sons and Daughters. “I’m glad 

there’s four growers going to be there. 

I think that’s better for the attendees, 

I think it will show different stuff and 

they can go around and take their time 

instead.” 

This year, Terri said they will be 

offering six-inch caladium pots and 

will have a new variety this year called 

Dots Delight, named after her mother. 

They also have the popular Frog in a 

Blender, “Because everyone wants Frog 

in a Blender,” said Bates. “And we’ll have 

quite a few of our unusual ones there, 

that they can’t find anywhere else.” 

From selling hanging baskets and 

bulbs last year in their barn to now 

getting ready for a great festival once 

more. Bates Sons and Daughters never 

stops serving their customers. 


From left: Terri Bates, Don Bates, their granddaughter Mary Grace and Sheri Bates. 

Bates Sons & Daughters workers in the field. 


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The Celebration Singers 

Cool Breeze Band 

The group 

started in 1975 

and have had 

many changes 

through the 

years. The 

members are 

Emma Polly 

(Vero Beach), 

Patty Siggins 

(West Palm 

Beach) and 

Carol Peaden 

(Pahokee). They 

have sung for 

many years 

at the South 

Florida Fair 

in West Palm 

Beach, Black 

Gold Festival in 

Belle Glade and 

the Strawberry 

Festival in Plant 

City, plus other 

events. They are 

glad to come to 

the Caladium 

Festival. They 

love singing for 

the Lord. 

Freddie Martinez was born in Brooklyn, New York and moved to Lake Placid in 

1977. He is a percussionist and a vocalist. His passion was to play different styles 

of music such as reggae, island music, rock and country. With that in mind, Cool 

Breeze was created. 

Al Arroyo is a conga drum player from Manhattan, New York who moved to Lake 

Placid 10 years ago. When Freddie heard him playing at a local bar, he knew he 

was the one for Cool Breeze. 

Tony Watson, the guitarist, is a native of Georgia. He lived in Miami and moved 

to the Bahamas where he learned the magic of island music and reggae. 


The Celebration Singers will perform at noon on Sunday, July 25. 

Cool Breeze will perform at 10:20 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. on Friday, July 23. 


Lake Placid 

Florida 

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Highland Celts Band 

Mad Stringers 

Highland Celts Band is Highlands County’s only band solely dedicated to 

traditional Celtic music originating in Ireland and Scotland. Charter member 

Chris Noel plays the Irish tin, or penny whistle, and flute. Matt Coltharp is featured 

playing fiddle and guitar. Bill Williams adds depth and flare on guitar. Michael 

Noel backs them up with the Irish drum, the bodhran. All of them have a turn 

at singing a variety of tunes including ballads, sea shanties and pub songs. They 

encourage crowd participation and often provide chorus lyrics for sing-alongs. 

As a special treat, the Irish step dance class from Attitudes Dance Studio will join 

them dancing to popular jigs and reels. Class instructor Alyxandra Maxwell might 

bring some special dancers from south Florida to join in the show. 


The Highland Celts will be performing on Friday, July 23 from 3-5 p.m. in The Yard at the Journal 

Plaza and Saturday, July 24 at 12:15 p.m. at the festival pavilion. 

The Mad 

Stringers are a 

local favorite 

three-piece band 

that came out 

of Wauchula, 

Florida. Alexis 

Garay is the 

singer and 

guitarist, Chris 

Garay (her father) 

is the bassist and 

Jason Harabarugh 

is on drums. They 

all combine a 

lifelong passion 

for music that 

crosses genres. 

At any given 

show, tunes from 

folk to rock to 

instrumentals 

are jamming. 

Inspired from 

her time living 

on a sailboat in 

the Keys, Alexis 

brings a serene, 

soulful sound 

to her melodies, 

while Chris and 

Jason provide the 

rhythm. Going 

on close to three 

years strong 

making their way 

across counties 

captivating hearts 

and ears. 


Mad Stringers will perform at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 24. 

At Home In Downtown Lake Placid 

Caladium Capital Of The World! 

We Are Directly Across From The Festival And 

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For In Highlands County. 

Stop In And See One Of Our Agents, 

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The Jersey Boys 


Originally from 

New Jersey, Lester 

started out on the 

“Talent Show” 

circuit in New Jersey 

and Pennsylvania. 

He appeared on 

Season 4 of America’s 

Got Talent and 

performs a Neil 

Diamond tribute 

show for JBE Live. 

He has been singing 

most of his life and 

enjoys it so much, he 

started Jersey Boy 

Entertainment, LLC. 

In 2019! 



Connecticut, Gordon 

started singing 

in his high school 

choir. He quickly 

became a soloist 

with a deep passion 

for Gospel music. He 

released a Gospel 

CD in 2003. He 

continues to sing in 

church and enjoys 

Karaoke and live 

music venues. 


Originally from Ohio, 

Tony started singing 

at the age of four 

with his father in 

local churches in 

Ohio and Kentucky. 

They recorded their 

first record when he 

was 8 years old. Tony 

sang in a Country 

band for 10 years 

and now sings just 

for the fun of it! 



Maryland, Violet 

studied music for 

four years at the 

famed Peabody 

Institute in Baltimore. 

She performed 

on Cruise ships and 

was a professional 

DJ for several years. 

She now sings for 

fun and still enjoys 

performing! 



Michigan, Sue started 

singing in school 

and church choirs. In 

2017 and 2018, Sue 

competed at the North 

American Country 

Music Association 

competition in Pigeon 

Forge, Tennessee. She 

placed 1st, 2nd and 

3rd in various Country 

Music categories 

including, “Entertainer 

of the Year, New 

Country 50 and over! 

In 2019, she helped 

form JBE, LLC. with her 

husband Lester. 


Originally from New 

Hampshire, Howard 

has been singing for 

fun for many years. 

Also, a professional 

DJ, he enjoys singing 

the Blues, Country and 

good ole’ Rock & Roll! 

Howard loves singing 

so much, he has his 

own Shure microphone 

he carries to each gig! 

M ONTZ 

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Fax: 863-465-1491 

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126 Dal Hall Blvd. 


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David Mains 

Marti Capodiferro 

David Mains plays the piano and 

sings. While his wife Joanie served in 

the U.S. Air Force, David had many 

opportunities to entertain people in 

several states and across Europe. He 

brings over 35 years of entertainment 

experience to the Lake Placid Caladium 

Festival. He routinely plays the grand 

piano for the Contemporary Service 

every Sunday at First Presbyterian 

Church of Lake Placid in the Genesis 

Center. David’s performance style is to 

offer audience members the opportunity 

to “select a song” from his play list 

of 200. David is semi-retired, works as 

a paralegal at Karlson Law Group in 

Lake Placid and volunteers his time at 

church. 

Marti has honed her musical talents 

on many stages over the years. She 

creates a unique mix of pop, opera, 

standards, show and movie tunes, 

country and patriotic music. Marti 

takes you on a journey. When a song 

reaches her ears and dives straight into 

her heart, she learns it and makes it her 

own. That is her unique gift. She can 

sing in any style, and is blessed with a 

vast vocal range. In addition to opening 

the festival each day with her beautiful 

rendition of the National Anthem, she 

will make guest appearances. 


David Mains will perform at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 23 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 25. 


Marti Capodiferro will be opening the festival each day with the National Anthem and she will 

make guest appearances. 

2019 


CHARLOTTE C. STONE 

Attorney at Law 

Professional, Compassionate & Responsive 

OUR AREAS OF FOCUS 

• ESTATE PLANNING 

- Trusts - Wills - Powers of Attorney 

- Health Care Surrogates - Living Wills 

• PROBATE 

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• ELDER LAW 

- Asset Protection Planning 

- Medicaid Qualification 

Classic Caladiums LLC 

1315 SR 64 West 

Avon Park, FL 33825 

Phone: 863-453-0014 

Fax: 863-453-0015 

Email: info@classiccaladiums.com 

Product available March thru September 

at our Avon Park Retail Store 

Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm 

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SEBRING 

3200 US Hwy 27 S., Suite 201 

863.402.5424 

WINTER HAVEN 

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Open House & Tours August 2020 

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863-453-0014, ext. 207 or ext. 215 

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Mountain Dew Cloggers 

The New Floridians 

Energetic 

and exciting, 

the “Mountain 

Dew Cloggers” 

organization 

has existed 

for over 30 

years and 

performed 

at all but one 

Caladium 

Festival. The 

Cloggers’ 

group has 

grown over 

the years and 

is one of the 

most popular 

performances 

at the festival. 

Come and 

welcome the 

Mountain 

Dew Cloggers 

on Saturday 

morning for 

their 30th performance 

at 

the Caladium 

Festival. This 

group is a 

huge hit. 

This ministry originated in Tennessee 

as the “Tennessee Harmony Boys” in the 

early 1950s. After relocating to Florida, 

the group’s founder Bill reorganized the 

group and renamed it “The Floridians.” 

After Bill’s death in 2008, his son, Joe 

Long, decided to continue this ministry 

with his wife Twanda, brother-in-law 

Richard Joynes and dear friend Kim 

Zeh. He renamed the group — The New 

Floridians. They perform at various venues 

throughout the year. This exciting 

and intoxicating group performs each 

day at the festival — do not miss the 

group’s performances! They are great! 

In addition to being great singers, 

all members served their respective 

communities. Joe Long is the Division 

Chief of Operations for Osceola 

County Fire Rescue and EMS, his 

beautiful wife Twanda Long is a retired 

process server, brother-in-law Richard 

Joynes is a Registered Nurse from 

Dunedin and dear friend Kim Feld is 

a Police Officer with the Longwood 

Police Department. 

Joe Long, with the assistance of Ben 

Feld, a Physician Assistant, provide 

superb sound support for all the 

entertainers. 


The Mountain Dew Cloggers will perform at 9:45 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 

11 a.m. on Saturday, July 24. 

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The New Floridians will perform at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 23; 10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. on 

Saturday, July 24; and 11:05 a.m. on Sunday, July 25. 

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BATES SONS & DAUGHTERS 

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Growers of Quality Caladiums for Over 65 Years 

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Bates Sons & Daughters 

caladiumsonline.com 

81 BATES ROAD • LAKE PLACID, FL 33852 

PHONE: 863-3274 • 863-465-3274


NoteWorthy 

Sweet Fleet 

Lead — Chris Fowler is 

fairly new to Barbershop 

(seven years) but has 

taken to it like a duck 

to water. He is currently 

President of the Sebring 

Chapter, Heartland 

Harmonizers. Chris works 

at South Florida State 

College. 

Baritone — Matt 

Clancy, the only one of 

us who has competed on 

the international stage 

in a quartet many times 

and has the hardware 

to prove it, including a 

Silver Medal singing with 

SIGNATURE. Matt is the 

Director of our Chorus 

and is a Medical Massage 

Therapist in Lake Placid. 

Tenor — Jim Palmer. 

While singing the highest 

part, he is also the 

oldest member with 47 

years in the Barbershop 

Harmony Society. He 

has sung in Chapter 

Quartets and competed 

in numerous District 

contests for 46 years. Jim 

works PIT at Highlands 

Master Jewelers (he’s the 

one with the handlebar 

mustache). 

Bass — Stirling Snyder 

gets to sing the lowest 

part and has been a 

member of BHS for 


NoteWorthy will perform at 10:05 a.m. on Friday, July 23. 

25 years. He has sung 

Baritone in Chapter 

Quartets but loves the 

bass part. Stirling has 

lived half his life as a 

resident of Florida. He is a 

department supervisor at 

Good Will. 

Sweet Fleet is a Fleetwood Mac tribute band composed of five young adults 

(ranging in age from 17-21) originating out of Sarasota, Florida. Formed in 2020, 

their passion to bring such an iconic group’s chemistry to you shines in everything 

they do. For booking info, contact their manager, Gregory Burke, at 941-587-5682. 

Sweet Fleet will perform at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 23. 


Come Explore the FINAL PHASE of OurAward-Winning, 

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Prices subject to change without notice. 

CALL 863-531-3718 FOR MORE INFORMATION 

www.coveredbridgelakeplacid.com


A caladium tale 

More simple growing tips for dramatic landscape color 

By NORMA RIZER 

Editor’s Note: Reprinted from 

the 2019 Caladium Festival 

Guide, from the archives of the 

Highlands News-Sun. 

Caladiums offer the explosion 

of color and the dramatic 

appeal to improve your landscaping. 

With a wide range of 

colors and leaf sizes, they work 

great in your garden or as a fill 

around your trees. We will try 

to answer some questions you 

may have, so grab a glass of 

iced tea, find a cool place to sit 

and start planning your yard. 

As you have noticed as you 

travel around Lake Placid, 

this is the middle of Caladium 

Country. Take a walk around 

the Caladium Festival and 

you will find everything from 

potted plants to tubers (or 

bulbs, if you prefer). Chat with 

any of the sellers and they will 

get you started in the right 

direction by answering any of 

your questions. 

Like all plants, growing 

starts with the correct type of 

soil to be successful with your 

gardening ideas. Caladiums 

do best in well-drained soil, 

rich in organic material. With a 

little planning and preparation 

they will do extremely well 

in Florida’s great sandy soil. 

Florida also offers the ideal 

climate for caladiums; heat 

and humidity are just what 

they like. Caladiums are also 

inclined to thrive in partially 

shaded areas, although some 

varieties have different light 

requirements. Just check with 

your supplier on what will meet 

your needs. 

All the tubers need is to be 

planted no more than two 

inches below the soil line and 

spaced eight to 14 inches apart, 

depending on your plans. 

Larger tubers will usually 

produce more leaves, but small 

tubers can produce larger 

plants if left in the same spot. 

Caladium bulbs will orient 

themselves in the ground, but 

if there is a pointed end, plant 

it pointing up. Check with your 

supplier on which fertilizers to 

use. 

Dry soil will make for unhappy 

caladiums. Hot and moist 

conditions are necessary for 

germination, watering frequently 

to keep soil moist but 

not soggy. Some varieties are 

suitable for full sun, but do not 

let them dry out. 

In the tropical south, caladiums 

can be left in the ground 

year round. Lake Placid is in 

Planting Zone 9 so there is 

no need to remove the bulbs. 

Plants in the northern areas will 

need to be removed before the 

first frost; then replanted the 

next year after the chance of 

frost is past. 

Under more shady conditions, 

caladiums will show 

more green in the leaves. 

Darker colors tend to be more 

pronounced in acidic soils. At 

least one reference mentions 

that fertilizing may cause color 

variations, and some varieties 

change color as they mature. 

Mom always told us bloom 

stalks should be removed before 

flowering to force bulbs to send 

energy to the showy leaves. 

Growers here say that although 

mom was right about most 

things, this is not really needed. 

Blooming will not affect the life 

or condition of the plant. 

Since some gardeners will be 

planting in the northern parts, 

be sure to follow your supplier’s 

instructions when you receive 

your tubers. 

Here are a few facts if you’re 

taking home plants or tubers: 

• Caladiums are tropical 

plants and tubers need to be 

stored above 60 degrees with 

humidity at about 75 percent. 

Good air circulation is critical to 

prevent rot. 

• Bulbs that have been 

exposed to cold temperatures 

will sprout slowly. 

• Harvest the bulbs and leaves 

when temperatures go below 60 

degrees; let them dry for a week 

or so, then trim the tops before 

storing for winter. 

• Starting the plants indoors 

and transplanting in summer 

is a good plan, but bulbs need 

warm soil to germinate quickly. 

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Caladium Co-Op founded on art, community 


Caladium Arts and Crafts Co-Op gallery. The Co-Op offers workshops, selling or buying caladium-oriented 

crafts and remains very involved in the community. 


Caladium Arts & Crafts Co-Op founder and Treasurer Carol Mills, Sandi Cross (Advertising) and 

President Joni Warner. 


CORRESPONDENT 

LAKE PLACID — When someone visits 

The Town of Murals, also known as 

the Caladium Capitol of the World, and 

wanders down Interlake Boulevard, they 

shall surely see the wonderful Caladium 

Arts and Crafts Co-Op. The building 

originally was host to a grocery store 

in the 1940s, then sat empty for years 

before it become home and beacon to 

local artists in 1992. It was created and 

founded by artists Carol Mills, Harriot 

Porter and Suellen Robinson. 

Carol Mills, who now serves as 

Treasurer and loves to weave on baskets 

and looms, explained that the purpose 

of the Co-Op was to give a place for 

local artists to come together to display 

and sell their handcrafted arts. “And 

the real reason we wanted to start it 

is because a lot of us had been doing 

shows outdoors. In Florida, you’re at the 

mercy of the weather,” she laughs. “So 

we thought, ‘Oh! Wouldn’t it be so nice 

to have a place where we can have our 

stuff on display all the time?’” 

They contacted all the artists they 

knew in Highlands County and had 

their first meeting, which consisted of 

84 people. “We had done a budget and 

we knew we needed at least 40 members 

to make it work,” said Mills. “And 

so, the first night we had 84 people and 

30 years later, we are still here.” 

The Co-Op is also a source of education 

to those interested in learning 

anything art. It is totally artist run. From 

the gallery to their classrooms, they 

offer a variety of different workshops 

from painting to pottery. “We used to 

have a girl from Nantucket come down 

who taught me how to make Nantucket 

baskets,” said Mills. “We had Martha 

Weatherbee come in and teach Shaker 

baskets.” 

The Co-Op also has roots in the 

community’s mural culture. One of the 

Co-Op founders, Harriot Porter, while 

on a motorcycle trip to Alaska with 

her husband Bob Porter, came across 

a town called Chemainus in British 

Columbia. It was here they encountered 

“larger than life” murals painted around 

the town. “So they brought back the 

idea of murals,” Mills said. “The first 

mural that was painted is right here on 

the side of our building.” 

If that wasn’t integrated enough, 

the Co-Op is very involved with the 

Caladium Festival. “They first started 

having art competitions and we used 

to have it back here and whoever the 

winner was of the art competition, 

their design was put on the t-shirts and 

the posters for the festival,” explained 

Mills. “So we’ve always been tied tightly 

together with the caladium growers. 

That’s why we named it the Caladium 

ART | 37 

Est. 2003 

 

General 

Contractor 

adno=00068454 

“Constructing with Confidence” CG1518433 

ChrisCauffeld77@gmail.com • 863-441-1569



Caladiums were first successfully 

bred in the1860s. One of the oldest 

hybrids, “Candidum” is still a very 

popular variety. 

By 1910, they had made their way to Florida. Today, 

almost all commercial caladium production in the 

world takes place in central Florida, most in Lake 

Placid. There are approximately 1200 acres in the area 

producing these lovely plants and more than 2000 

named varieties have been produced over the past 

150 years. 

Vendors are correct at 

time of publication 

VENDORS 

ANIMAL 

P-111 Lakiotis, Peter Sewing for 

Animals 

22 Kirsch, A Dog Items 

ARTS 

86 Borges, C Carved Animals 

P-108 Braun, D Live Free LLC 

P-100 Hittman, N Abstract Artist 

P-97 Larson, S Palm Frond Art 

17 Nicholas, B Mixed Media 

41 Sarzynski, J Southern Paint Pot 

15 Sims, L Art on Canvas 

4 Wilderman, J John's Pens 

BODY PRODUCTS / CREAMS 

49 Stern, D Pain Relief Creams 

87 Spires, V Bath Bombs, Candles 

List with " The Jager team" 

they will help you with all your 

selling & purchasing needs! 

Wendy Jager 

wendyj@fourstarhomes.com 

(863) 414-8864 

CERAMIC & GLASS 

47 Nelson, S Glass Art 

25 Bradshaw, D Stained Glass 

94 Costello, A Sea Glass 

18 Fraser, L Art Glass 

21 Ryland, L Stained Glass 

CHILDREN’S 

81 & 2 Toby’s Clowns Face Art 

80 United Methodist Crafts 

FABRIC / SEWING 

48 Gill, A Knit & Crochet 

P-102 McDonough, E Misc. 

14 Mosli, M Sun Protection 

45 Schumann, Lori Market Totes 

20 Toledo, K Purses, etc. 

23 Toomey, M Fabric Items 

FOOD & DRINK 

P-99 Gilbert, W Nuts 

16 Heilman, B Get Dusted 

9 MIles Pecans 

1 Highlands Co. Citrus Juice 

Kettle Corn Interlake & Pine 

13 Rodreguezy, M Honey 

Out Back Snacks Interlake 

GARDEN & PLANTS & DECOR 

55 Buford, S Plumerias 

53 DiGiacome Garden Art 

58 Elting, P Bromeliads, Orchids 

38-9 Erskine, E Bird House - Feeders 

56-7 Gretton, D Perenniels & Herbs 

36-7 Hamilton, A Yard Art 

91 Higgens, M Deco Pots 

54 Lamb, V Desert Rose-Orchids 

65 Lloyd, C Exotic Plant Eden 

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P-106 Lutz, M Garden Decor 

61 Martinez Plants Trees 

10 Richie, J Wooden Lawn Art 


74 Sidney, M Beach Shack Chic 

85 Tirado, T Orchids & Plants 

60 Wall, S Desert Rose 

HATS & HANDBAGS 

92 

3 

Brinker 

Ryland, L 

Hats & Sunglasses 

Stained Glass-Hats 

JEWELRY 

103-4 Beard, S Suzie's Pearls 

2 Barbour, G Earcuffs 

88-9 Bell, R Magnetic Jewelry 

P-110 Edge, Amy OGZdesigns 

75 Fillipone, S Gems Select 

62 Griffith, S Beaded Jewelry 

24 Henwood, B 2 Fast Cats 

11 Moradzadch, A Wire Wrap 

42 Rohlfs, B Vintage Wears 

8 Roulette, L Roulette Designs 

5 Wile, M Tropical Creations 

METAL ART 

36-37 Hamilton, A Twisted Mind Metal 

102 Klemm, J & D Metal Art Creations 

MISCELLANEOUS 

25 Bradshaw, D DayzAire 

6 Campuzano, C Frozen Moments 

12 Jolly-Romine Candles, Wax Melts 

P 97 Larson, S Palm Frond Art 

19 Qin, J Edgest Leather 

90 Sandusky, S Grandma's Swag 

P-103 Smith, B Painted Glass 

81-2 Toby's Clowns Face Painting 

P98 Vanderbloom, C Leather 

(863) 414-8864 

www.FourStarHomes.com 

SIGN & BASKETS 

101 Adam, C Baskets 

67 Bowles, C Signs 

105 Cochran, S Stick signs 

P-104-5 McKinney Distressed Signs 

43 Varley, Gina Signs, etc. 

WOOD 

38-39 Erskine, E Bird Houses/Chimes 

100 McCoy, R Biminibob Art 

10 Richi, P Lazy Susans 


COMMERCIAL 

72 Master Gardeners Help Desk 

40 Small Town Girl Insurance 

68-70 Zepherhills Water Water Station 

50 Vision Auto Glass of Florida 

Laurel Adams 

Sales Agent/ 

Assistant 

Sharon Taboada 

Sales Agent/ 

Assistant



Caladiums were first successfully 

bred in the1860s. One of the oldest 

hybrids, “Candidum” is still a very 

popular variety. 

By 1910, they had made their way to Florida. Today, 

almost all commercial caladium production in the 

world takes place in central Florida, most in Lake 

Placid. There are approximately 1200 acres in the area 

producing these lovely plants and more than 2000 

named varieties have been produced over the past 

150 years. 

Vendors are correct at 

time of publication 

VENDORS 

ANIMAL 

P-111 Lakiotis, Peter Sewing for 

Animals 

22 Kirsch, A Dog Items 

ARTS 

86 Borges, C Carved Animals 

P-108 Braun, D Live Free LLC 

P-100 Hittman, N Abstract Artist 

P-97 Larson, S Palm Frond Art 

17 Nicholas, B Mixed Media 


15 Sims, L Art on Canvas 


BODY PRODUCTS / CREAMS 

49 Stern, D Pain Relief Creams 

87 Spires, V Bath Bombs, Candles 

List with " The Jager team" 

they will help you with all your 

selling & purchasing needs! 

Wendy Jager 

wendyj@fourstarhomes.com 

(863) 414-8864 

CERAMIC & GLASS 

47 Nelson, S Glass Art 

25 Bradshaw, D Stained Glass 

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Free video explains caladium farming 

By NORMA RIZER 

FROM THE ARCHIVES 

Editor’s Note: Updated and reprinted 

from an article written by Norma Rizer 

for a previous Caladium Festival. 

LAKE PLACID — Caladiums are not 

native to Highlands County, but you’d 

never know it to wander through 

Lake Placid during the 30th annual 

Caladium Festival. The town has 

embraced these beautiful plants and 

made them our own. 

Learning more about the introduction 

of caladiums into the area is easy, 

if you take time to see the short video 

that explains a great deal about the 

beautiful plants. Make time during 

the festival (or anytime you’re in Lake 

Placid) to stop by the Greater Lake 

Placid Chamber of Commerce at 18 

N. Oak Avenue. There you can view 

a free video that welcomes you to 

Lake Placid and introduces you to the 

caladium growing process. 

Beginning with the explanation of 

our nickname “Caladium Capital of 

the World”, the video shows the specialized 

soil that, along with the warm 

weather, makes caladium production 

ideal. The video proceeds to identify 

the main Floridian horticulturists 

involved in early caladium production, 

including the men who first grew 

the showy plants right here in Lake 

Placid. Photos have been provided so 

the viewer can visualize these men 

working in their greenhouses and 

gardens. 

In addition to providing a glimpse at 

caladium fields, some of the various 

popular cultivars are portrayed. 

Actual footage of bulb preparation 

and planting are shown. Surprisingly, 

the process is similar to any farming 

operation, although the specialized 

equipment is slightly different. 

From field to shipping, the story 

is told in a pleasant, interesting 

manner. For those more interested 

in home gardening of caladiums, 

information is provided clearly 

and concisely. There’s even a short 

section about bringing caladiums 

indoors after they go dormant for 

the winter season. This is absolutely 

necessary in northern climates, but 

southern gardeners also have been 

known to do this. 

“The Caladiums of Lake Placid” 

presents a wealth of information in 

just under 13 minutes. Produced 

locally by the Chamber of Commerce 

and the Lake Placid Caladium 

Growers Association, the video 

was written and filmed by Big Byte 

Productions. Visitors will be delighted 

to learn more about the caladium 

industry; at the very least, they will 

see some stunning photography of 

gorgeous plants. 

The video is shown continually 

in the mural room at the chamber 

during the open hours of the festival 

and is included with your bus tour 

ticket. Stop by at your convenience 

for a closer look at the star of the 

event. Volunteers will be hand to 

offer directions and answer questions 

about Lake Placid and area 

attractions, including the famous 

Lake Placid murals. 

FILE PHOTO 

A visit to the colorful caladium fields that can be seen from County Road 621 is a must for 

summertime visitors to Lake Placid. This is the time of year when the fields are in full color. 

FILE PHOTO 

The story of caladium farming is told in a free video at the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce. 

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Caladium Festival is rich with history 

Editor’s Note: This is a condensed 

version of an article written by Anne 

Reynolds for a previous Caladium 

Festival. 

Lake Placid is “The Caladium Capital 

of The World.” For any industry that 

makes such a mark on an area, there 

should be a festival celebrating it. 

The idea was first broached by Doris 

Gentry and a few years later growers 

were prodded and helped by Ann 

Bond and Audrey Vickers from the 

Convention and Visitors Bureau. They 

suggested September as the caladiums 

were in full bloom and it was a slow 

month for merchants. 

Unfortunately, the written history and 

a large historical exhibit of the caladium 

industry were lost in a 2004 hurricane, 

but enough survived in family files to 

tell the story and continue the festival. 

In 1990, two competing caladium 

grower families decided to work together 

to make the festival possible. Carolyn 

Phypers of Happiness Farms and 

Dot Bates of Bates Sons & Daughters 

Caladiums took on the job. 

The first location of the festival was 

at Happiness Farms. In preparation, 

Bates and Phypers drove a pickup truck 

and walked door to door offering free 

caladium bulbs (tubers) by the bagful to 

anyone from County Road 621 to Lake 

Blue Estates who would plant them. Bus 

tours ferried visitors to see the fields 

and then be shown how beautifully 

caladiums could be incorporated into a 

landscape. Two years later, they added 

the WatersEdge neighborhood and 

left trays of bulbs in the cul-de-sac for 

anyone who wanted to plant them. 

The festival had one bus and two runs 

FILE PHOTO 

Festivalgoers will have many options when come to purchasing plants at this year’s Caladium 

Festival in downtown Lake Placid. 

the first year, with the number increasing 

to as many as 41 tours in a year with 

one bus doing four or five runs. Sun 

Bank, now SunTrust, donated $3,000 the 

first year to start the effort and continued 

its support for several years. 

Vera, Rose and Julia Sapp entertained 

festival crowds as cloggers, and guests 

also viewed a video about the industry 

in a barn. Norma Stokes and the ladies 

of the local Farm Bureau provided 

lunch for everyone. All the growers 

were assigned a task and had a display 

table. Other growers besides Bates and 

Phypers who participated the first year 

were D & L Bulb Farm, Cooper’s Farm, 

Joiners, Lake Huntley, Lake Placid 

Bulb, Parker Island, Hendry Caladiums, 

Sapp Caladiums, Scarboroughs from 

Lake Placid, and Caladium World and 

Buddy’s from Sebring. 

One important commitment was to 

recognize the living, first generation 

caladium pioneers, Emmett and 

Mildred Bates, Paul Phypers Sr., Boots 

Holmes, and Zena Hendry. Some of 

the older growers would sit in rocking 

chairs at the Caladium Arts and Crafts 

Cooperative and talk with visitors. All 

the men took turns standing under 

the shade cloth to talk to visitors and 

answer questions. It was moved then 

into the Caladium Arts and Crafts 

Cooperative, with Dot and Maxine 

Kelley overseeing the historical aspect. 

Maxine’s family was involved in the 

industry for many years, and her 

granddaughter, Heidi (Head) Davis, was 

the first Caladium Queen. 

Although the number of growers 

has decreased over the last few years, 

the second generations of growers are 

making their mark. The Bates family has 

had a grower’s exhibit each year. Their 

daughter, Teri, grows out pots of new 

varieties. All members of the Bates and 

Phypers families can be seen in action 

throughout the festival. 

The festival has something for everyone. 

All food vendors are local and the 

Caladium Festival committee ensures 

there are no duplicates. They only have 

room for a hundred booths so there’s a 

long waiting list for arts and crafts vendors, 

with an attempt to keep at least 

half of the booths caladium related. The 

vendors love the venue because they are 

welcomed and given coffee, doughnuts, 

and orange juice when they set up. 

They also receive water throughout the 

day and a bag of caladiums at the end. 

Vendors are visited, treated well and immediately 

apply for the following year. 

Lake Placid is usually the first venue of 

their season. 

The festival has required the support 

of numerous community volunteers. 

The town and the county have been 

very supportive by blocking off the 

streets and giving free garbage pickup. 

Carolyn Phypers said, “We wanted to 

help the town and businesses, so the 

second year we held it in town.” Every 

HISTORY | 37 

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Lake Placid has it all 

Small towns sometimes have a 

reputation for being a bit boring, but 

most of them have many redeeming 

qualities; Lake Placid certainly does. 

While residents enjoy a slower pace 

than folks in larger communities, they 

are quick to point out the benefits — 

ease of access (traffic is not generally 

a problem), reduced crime rates 

(everybody knows everyone else) 

and you have lots of friendly people 

(everybody really knows everyone 

else). 

When asked why they chose Lake 

Placid, residents almost always 

mention the close proximity to both 

of Florida’s coasts. If beaches or larger 

shopping outlets beckon, the drive is 

generally about an hour, making for a 

spectacular day trip without giving up 

the little slice of heaven here in the 

heartland. 

Lake Placid still celebrates holidays 

in the traditional manner — 

Independence Day and Halloween 

are community events; there’s a 

Christmas parade each year and the 

local high school still holds a homecoming 

parade. 

In July, caladiums begin to show 

up everywhere, which is the reason 

for one of Lake Placid’s nicknames, 

“Caladium Capital of the World,” as 

more than 80% of the world’s caladium 

bulbs are grown here and shipped 

to market. The local economic engine 

is driven by agriculture and tourism. 

In addition to the caladium production 

in the fertile bottom lands, 

higher grounds give way to citrus 

groves and cattle ranching. 

Visitors soon notice many buildings 

in the community decorated with 

beautiful and informative murals, 

many of which tell 

the story of historical 

events and the people 

of Lake Placid. Most of 

the murals are maintained 

by the local 

Mural Society, which 

publishes a guide 

book that is available 

for purchase at the 

chamber of commerce 

and many retail stores. 

It’s easy to see how 

Lake Placid came by 

another nickname, 

“The Town of Murals.” 

FILE PHOTO 

“’Captain’ T.W. Webb” depicts one the area’s first caladium growers in the 1930s, who, at the 

time, owned the first and only service station between Sebring and West Palm Beach. The 

mural is on Davis and Tompkins, Attorneys at Law, 107 Interlake Blvd. 

FILE PHOTO 

Highlands County 

is home to many 

due to our location on the Lake Wales 

Ridge, a stretch of high ground that 

runs down the peninsula. The ridge, 

once a string of islands surrounded 

by an ocean that receded thousands 

of years ago, is home to many 

threatened and endangered species. 

Some of them are found nowhere 

else in the world. Archbold Biological 

Station was established near here as a 

scientific center for study of the area. 

Lake June Scrub Park and Highlands 

Hammock State Park give a glimpse 

into nature in the county. You may 

see sandhill cranes, gopher tortoises, 

scrub jays, and of course, alligators 

water lakes, offering water sports 

and some of the best fishing in the 

United States. Sport fishing makes 

any day on the water a treat. Check 

with any of the local boat retailers or 

bait shops to get headed in the right 

direction. 

There are eight local parks to provide 

more entertainment opportunities, 

including lake access. Of course, 

golfing in Florida’s fine weather is 

grand and Lake Placid has two golf 

courses open to the public. There’s a 

winery nearby, with locally produced 

wines available at the festival. 

There’s a wide variety of retail 

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Caladium growers play unique role in local agriculture 

STAFF REPORT 

It takes a lot of caladiums 

to make Lake Placid the 

“Caladium Capital of the 

World.” Lake Placid’s claim to 

fame is well-earned with virtually 

all commercial production 

of caladiums taking place right 

here in central Florida. Most of 

those growers have fields here, 

on the rich dirt near the south 

shore of Lake Istokpoga. 

While growers have come 

and gone over the many years, 

about a dozen are currently 

providing bulbs to the retail 

market. Most are family owned 

and operated, with the caladium 

pioneers passing along 

their secrets and their fields to 

new generations. 

From Lake Placid, Bates Sons 

& Daughters Inc.; Good Day 

Caladiums; Happiness Farms 

Inc.; Heartland Caladiums; 

Hendry Caladiums Inc.; Lake 

Country Farms; Lake Huntley 

Bulb Farm; and Lake Placid 

Bulb Company farm caladiums. 

From Sebring, Caladium World; 

Mrs. G.R. Spaulding; and 

Rainbow Acres are all growers. 

Currently in Avon Park, only 

Classic Caladiums actively 

works a caladium farm. 

Without these dedicated 

families and businesses, 

gardeners in North America 

would be hard-pressed to find 

caladiums to buy. 

Another unique contribution 

caladium growers provide 

to the agriculture industry is 

the production of specialized 

FILE PHOTO 

Seen here in 2012, Jose Becerra rides on the back of a caladium harvesting 

machine in one of Bates Sons & Daughters’ fields along County Road 621 near 

Lake Placid. 

farming equipment in order to 

cultivate caladium plants. The 

process of harvesting the plants 

is highly unique and required 

local growers to come up with 

new mechanisms to farm the 

caladiums, according to staff at 

Bates Sons & Daughters. 

When Florida caladium 

breeding first began in about 

1910, they quickly became a 

garden favorite. The movement 

didn’t really take off until about 

1937 or so, as production was 

limited. 

By the 1950s, only about 150 

acres were planted in caladiums 

in this area. Now, more 

than 1,200 acres are devoted to 

the showy plant. 

With help from the Institute 

of Food and Agricultural 

Sciences at the University 

of Florida and an extensive 

research program at Louisiana 

State University, growers have 

advanced information about 

techniques for caladium 

production, protection and 

processing. 

At the urging of local caladium 

pioneers, IFAS initiated a 

caladium breeding program in 

1976. Over the past 19 years, 

the program has released 

several new cultivars, many of 

which are available at various 

sources. 

FAST FACTS 

When Florida caladium 

breeding first began in about 

1910, it quickly became a 

garden favorite. The movement 

didn’t really take off until 

This is the Blushing Bride variety from Classic Caladiums. 

about 1937, as production was 

limited. By the 1950s, only 

about 150 acres were planted 

FILE PHOTO 

FILE PHOTO 

While caladium growers have come and gone over the years, about a dozen 

are currently providing bulbs to the retail market. Most are family owned and 

operated, with the caladium pioneers passing along their secrets and their 

fields to new generations. 

in caladiums in this area. Now, 

more than 1,200 acres are 

devoted to the showy plant. 

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A look back at previous festivals 

For 30 years the Caladium Festival has 

been as dependable as a summer afternoon 

shower in Florida. It all started 

when local caladium growers Carolyn 

Phypers and Dot 

Bates decided to 

raise awareness 

of their colorful 

plants and bulbs 

and celebrated a 

mini-festival in 

the parking lot of 

Happiness Farms 

on County Road 621. 

It takes a lot of caladiums to make 

Enjoy photos 

from past 

Caladium 

Festivals on 

pages 26-33 

Lake Placid the “Caladium Capital of the 

World” and it takes a lot of volunteers 

to put on the annual Caladium Festival. 

For 29 years, people from all over the 

state have embarked on Lake Placid to 

attend the festival and had it not been 

for the pandemic’s lingering effect, last 

year would have been no different. Here 

are a few photos from our archives, 

dedicated to the hardworking caladium 

farmers and the dedicated volunteers 

who bring this grand event to downtown 

Lake Placid each year. Enjoy as 

you look back at previous festivals. 

ALL PHOTOS ARE FILE PHOTOS 

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FILE PHOTO 

The 2019 Caladium Festival coordinators. 

From left: Patti Gayle, bus tours, 

Sandy Rossborough, Caladium Festival 

art gallery, Marge Callas, Caladium 

Festival arts and craft booths, Marlene 

Barger, entertainment coordinator, and 

Eileen May, Greater Lake Placid Chamber 

of Commerce executive director and 

Caladium Festival event coordinator. 

Not pictured: Joyce De Smet, Caladium 

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TO DO 

FROM PAGE 3 

music, food, and a 50/50 drawing. 

The event will take place rain or shine. 

Spectator admission is free. For more 

information, call 863-465-4331 or visit 

lpfla.com. 

Caladium Festival dance 

The Lake Placid Jaycees Caladium 

Festival Dance is Saturday, July 24 at 

the Moose Lodge from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. 

Doors open at 8 p.m. Cost is $10 at the 

door, and you must be 21 or older to 

attend. Live entertainment provided by 

Josh Blevins band. The Moose Lodge is 

at 2137 U.S. 27 South. 

Journal Plaza 

Visit the Farmer’s Market at the 

Journal Plaza in downtown Lake Placid 

from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Saturday. 

Enjoy live music and shop for fresh 

produce and unique gifts. The Journal 

Plaza is at 231 N. Main Ave. For more 

information, call 863-273-4030. 

Clowns 

Toby’s Clown Museum is at 109 

W. Interlake Blvd. Admission is free. 

Learn about clowns and the community 

involvement of the Toby the 

Clown Foundation Inc. Clowns will 

also be roaming the event to amuse 

festivalgoers and will have a booth 

Saturday to coincide with the Car and 

Bike Show. For more information, call 

863-465-2920. 

Depot museum 

The Depot Historical Museum is at 

12 Park St. The museum offers visitors a 

display of historical furnishings, photos, 

documents, clothing, tools, lanterns, 

turpentine industry equipment, a 

switchboard and linotype machine. 

The grounds also feature a 1929 steam 

engine, a 1920s-era jail and a caboose. 

Admission is free. For more information, 

call 863-465-1771. 

SHOW 

FROM PAGE 6 

car, truck or motorcycle will certainly 

fit into at least one of them. 

It might even be chosen for a new 

award this year – Best of Show! 

As always, the car show coincides 

with the Caladium Festival just up 

the street. The Festival is held at 

Stuart Park on Interlake Blvd. while 

the cars and motorcycles are on 

display at DeVane Park, on the circle 

in the Town of Lake Placid. 

Bob Larson has been in charge 

of the show for many, many years. 

He’s proud of it. Starting at 7 a.m. on 

Saturday, July 24, vehicles entered in 

the show will be checked in. Goodie 

bags and a number will be given to 

the drivers as they are directed to 

their display spot. 

In fact, if you would like to be a 

volunteer to assist at the starting 

line, give Bob a call at 863-464-0037. 

That way you get to see all the 

entries as they arrive. 

One of the biggest features of 

the Lake Placid Car & Bike Show is 

the 50/50 drawing. It always has a 

very rewarding cash prize. A trophy 

will be given out for the “Mayor’s 

Choice” and the “Police Chief’s 

Choice” as well. A DJ will be onhand 

to do the announcements and 

provide a variety of music. 

This annual event is presented 

by the Greater Lake Placid 

Chamber of Commerce. Go to 

caladiumfestival.org. You’ll find 

the car show entry form there. 

Pre-registration is only $15 – or 

you can just show up that morning 

for $20. If you have more 

questions, call the chamber office 

at 863-465-4331. 

FILE PHOTO 

2006, HIGHLANDS TODAY FILE PHOTO Doug Edmonds of Cape Coral glances toward his 1939 five 

window Ford Coupe Street Rod during the classic car show at the Caladium Festival in Lake Placid. 

JERRY MEISENHEIMER/CORRESPONDENT 

Garrett Lanier, an active member of the U.S. Coast Guard, just bought this 1967 Ford Fairlane 

while on leave. He’s getting it ready for his dad to show at the Lake Placid Car & Bike Show on 

July 24. 

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BOYS 

FROM PAGE 8 

to offer. Sandi loves the fact the idea 

of being able to carry on the legacy of 

Jason’s grandparents, LL and Vivian 

Boots. “I think they would be ecstatic, 

seeing what he has done with carrying 

on their name,” Sandi said. “I mean, 

them being the ones that brought it 

to this area in the late 1940s and it’s 

still going on in their family makes me 

smile, thinking they’re looking down, 

smiling upon him.” 

Florida Boys will also be participating 

in the Caladium Festival this year. This 

will be the second time participating for 

the company. “We’re very excited the 

kids really enjoy being up there with all 

the people, and all the people that know 

Florida Boys enjoy seeing the kids,” said 

Sandi. “Which is fun, keeping it, you 

know, family owned and operated.” 

Through the many twists, turns, company 

names and titles throughout time 

of the Boots family, some things may 

have changed, but their long-standing 

legacy has not. Florida Boys plans to 

keep it that way for as long as they can. 


Bulbs in a crate at the Florida Boys facility. 


One of the workers at Florida Boys Caladiums. 

FARM 

FROM PAGE 7 

hold a festival to promote and celebrate 

such an industry, and to bring visitors 

into town. With the help of Ann Bond 

and Audrey Vickers of the Convention 

and Visitors Bureau, they started to 

prod surrounding farmers about being 

involved. 

In 1990, two caladium competitors 

decided to unite, to help finally bring 

this festival to life. One of those 

competitors was Carolyn Phypers of 

Happiness Farms. The other was Dot 

Bates of Bates Sons and Daughters. 

The first Caladium Festival was 

held at Happiness Farms, where a 

dinner was cooked by the Highlands 

County Cattlemen and served by the 

Cattlewomen, and guests were able 

to take bus tours of the fields. The 

following year the two families came 

together again and were able to expand 

the festival to Stuart Park with food, 

art, music and of course caladiums. It’s 

been held there ever since. 

For the past 20 years since the start of 

the festival, Happiness Farms has also 

donated Caladium bulbs around Lake 

Placid, to help showcase the beauty of 

the plant. With the festival being cancelled 

last year due to COVID-19, and 

the year prior the farm experiencing 

heavy loss due to heavy rain, Danielle 

Daum (a third generation farmer) who 

manages the office, expressed that 

they’re very excited to take part in upcoming 

festivities. This year, Happiness 

Farms will sell around 28 varieties of 

bulbs at the anticipated festival. Some 

featured varieties include the popular 

Cranberry Star, Fanni Munson and 

Florida Moonlight — Darlene’s new 

favorite. 

One thing is absolute, whatever 

customers wanted to converse about, 

the team was always happy to hear from 

them and to develop relationships. They 

hold their customers to such high regards 

that even when they locked their 

doors in 2020, they instated an honor 

system by placing tables out front with 

bulbs and a money box for payments. 

“We had people come knock on the 

door and give us a thumbs up. We had 

notes in the box, ‘You saved my sanity,’” 

said Phypers. 

Much like their patriarch, Paul 

Phypers Sr., the legacy at Happiness 

Farms still went by his old motto, 

“For your satisfaction, enjoyment and 

health.” 

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CLASSIC 

FROM PAGE 9 

And so, you’re breeding for that look, 

only with a flatter leaf, so we got two 

out there now that we’re evaluating this 

year.” 

Another impressive feat of Classic 

Caladiums is in the summer of 2019, 

when they teamed up with Lowe’s for an 

interior caladium production trial run. 

“We developed the recipe and what the 

growing practices for these caladiums 

would be, to last in the household. We 

developed a practice that would keep 

them from stretching three or four 

weeks and you can enjoy them in your 

house, then move them outside and 

continue to enjoy them,” explained 

Wallace. 

Classic Caladiums has also taken 

part of the Caladium Festival since 

2017, after Hurricane Irma struck and 

devastated many of the caladiums. “In 

2017, half of the farm was raised plastic 

and half was open fields, very similar to 

Lake Placid but only on sand,” explained 

Hartman. “We had an 85% loss 

on our open fields and had a 15% loss 

on our raised beds.” 

The team at Classic Caladiums is 

proud of the growth and amazing 

accomplishments that they have made 

since the company started in 2000. And 

as Dr. Hartman said, “I think we’ve just 

begun.” 


Some of the patents that Classic Caladiums have accomplished. 


Classics Caladiums manages 850 acres of production. This production 

puts Classic Caladiums as the biggest producers of Caladium bulbs in the 

world. 

Toby the Clown Foundation 

Toby The Clown Foundation, Inc. is an out growth of a large number of people 

who perform as clowns for educational and entertainment. They do performances at 

hospitals, nursing homes, children day care centers, libraries, churches, 

shut-ins, Hospice organizations, and schools. 

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Joni Warner shows the free DIY Kraft Kits for Kids section. 

ART 

FROM PAGE 19 

Arts and Crafts Co-Op.” 

The Co-Op may no longer present the art competition, but that doesn’t mean 

you won’t find them showing their own arts and crafts for the festival. They have 

live art demonstrations for festival attendees and sell lunch inside the building. 

Sandi Cross, who handles advertising, said she loves the live demonstrations, 


Co-Op founder Carol Mills with Co-Op President Joni Warner. 

due to the fact that it gets people involved. “It encourages people,” said Cross. “If 

somebody that does that at home, they come and see that it’s down here, then 

they ask ‘Oh, how can I put my stuff in?’” The building also serves as a rest place 

during the festival from the insufferable Florida heat. Jon Warner, president of 

the Co-Op, jokingly said people mainly come in for their air conditioning during 

festival time. 

Whether it’s taking up a workshop, selling or buying caladium-oriented crafts, 

being part of the art community or simply looking to escape the heat, the 

Caladium Arts and Crafts Co-Op may have something for everyone. 

HISTORY 

FROM PAGE 23 

Every year since, the festival has 

been held in Stuart Park on Interlake 

Boulevard. The festival month was later 

changed to August because of hurricane 

season and this year moves again to the 

last full weekend in July. 

“What sustained the festival have 

been the profits from selling the potted 

plants which Bates grows, and the 

caladium bulbs which Happiness Farms 

bags up and sells,” said Dot Bates. 

“All of that money went back into 

the festival to keep it going,” Phypers 

added. 

The festival has grown and become 

popular with locals and vendors. All 

proceeds from the festivals, which 

included large personal donations, 

were used for expenses, saved for 

future festivals and have supported 

LOCAL 

News & 

Information 

many worthwhile community projects. 

One year donations included a $2,000 

scholarship and donations to the police 

department, schools, the chamber of 

commerce, Educational Foundation, 

Woman’s Club, Last Chance Ranch, 

Masonic Lodge, beautification of Stuart 

Park, Town of Lake Placid, and Bradenton 

Research Center for a total of $8,200 

festival dollars given back to the area. 

The success of the festival over the 

years has been a commitment of grower 

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participation, volunteers, returning 

vendors, and the people who come from 

everywhere to enjoy the unique flavor of 

a small town. Some have decided to come 

back and make it their home. 

The festival was turned over to the 

chamber of commerce in 2007. We are 

indebted to the Phypers and Bates families 

for their investments, perseverance, 

hard work, and dedication to use their 

finances, time and expertise to make our 

community a better place. 

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ALL 

FROM PAGE 24 

shopping and restaurants in the area, making living here easy for residents 

and visitors alike. Lake Placid is also home to the American Clown Museum 

and School, where classes account for more than 1,800 graduates taking 

“Smiles, Love and Laughter” back into their communities. In fact, Lake Placid 

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admission. 

It’s easy to see why residents love Lake Placid and visitors come back time 

after time. 

“Sandhill Cranes Dawn Patrol” depicts the area’s well-known cranes in an early morning scene. The mural is on the Lake Placid Women’s Club at Main Street and Park Street. 

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Caladium Festival 2021

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