East Thonotosassa Baptist Church is gearing up for its ninth annual Antioch Days, a pioneer-themed festival focused on fun and affordability.
“It originated as a celebration of the founding of the church, which was in 1854,” lead pastor Jim Brady said. “But it evolved into a community festival, whereby the church could give back to the community.”
There will be food, rides, games and a parade, but all with a historical flavor.
“Everything here is period-related,” Brady said. “There’s no bouncy houses or anything like that, that you’d see at a carnival.”
Instead of standard carnival rides, Antioch Days will offer rides on covered wagons, a six-car train, paddle boats and horses. There will also be fishing in the pond, a shooting gallery and archery. And, all of these activities are free.
The only aspect of the festival that is not free is the food, which includes barbecued ribs and hamburgers, kettle corn, funnel cake, roasted corn, boiled peanuts and more. For dessert, festival-goers will enjoy ice cream that was handmade on-site with an antique churn.
Still, all of these items will be much more affordable than at typical fairs, Brady said. The church spends about $5,000 each year to provide Antioch Days for the community, and it makes back that cost through food sales and sponsorships. With an average of 5,000 visitors to the festival each year, food prices can be kept low.
At 10 a.m., a parade will begin at Charro Lane and Knights Griffin Road, and travel west down Knights Griffin Road about a mile to East Thonotosassa Baptist Church. Anyone can be in the parade, but Brady said viewers can expect to see at least a few antique cars, some local politicians and much more.
“We have large floats that the children ride,” Brady said. “We have an antique fire engine. We have an antique sheriff’s car … and the list goes on. Some folks even decorate the lawnmower.”
To reserve a spot in the parade, there is a required deposit of $20, which will be refunded seven days after the festival, as long as the registrant did participate in the parade.
Shopping enthusiasts can browse the rows of antiques and crafts at the festival. Brady expects between 40 and 60 vendors. Vendors can reserve a space for $35 until Oct. 29., and $50 after.
“It’s a family fun day, and it costs next to nothing,” Brady said.
For more information and to view photos from previous years’ festivals, visit antiochdays.com.
IF YOU GO
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 1
WHERE: East Thonotosassa Baptist Church, 12735 Knights Griffin Road, Thonotosassa
COST: Parking, entrance and activities are free. Food prices vary.
CONTACT: (813) 924-6251
INFO: antiochdays.com
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.