Head over to Circle Drive and the Lakeyard in DeFuniak Springs Fri., Jan, 29 and Sat., Jan. 30 and enjoy live demonstrations and exhibits during the Chautauqua Assembly.
Civil War Camp: Visit the men and women of The Walton Guard who will welcome you to their camp and show you their life on the battlefield during the Civil War. Then, see the great “Battle Between the States” on Saturday, 12:30 pm, and again on Sunday at 1:30 pm! Lake Yard.
- Friday, Jan. 29, 8am-5pm; Saturday, Jan. 30, 8am-5pm; Sunday, Jan. 31, 8am-3:30pm
Florida Frontiersmen Settlement Camp: Visit a camp resembling the living conditions of an early Florida pioneer family. The outdoor exhibit is orchestrated by the Chilcutt family through their participation in the Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship (FCF). FCF is a men to boys mentoring ministry of Royal Rangers and the Assemblies of God. The encampment is hands-on and in-use of the food, tools, weapons, crafts, and living conditions of Florida settlers from the late 1500s to the early 1900s. The encampment also has a section on the Florida Cracker Pioneers who helped settle this area. Lake Yard.
- Friday, Jan. 29, 8am-5pm; Saturday, Jan. 30, 8am-5pm; Sunday, Jan. 31, 8am-3:30pm
Plein Air Paint Out – Professional artists will be dotting the Lake Yard landscape to paint their individual conception of activities, buildings, people and whatever else they envision going on in this area. Observe the artists at work. Individual finished works of art will be on display in the Hall of Brotherhood as they dry and will be available for purchase.
- Thursday, Jan. 28, 12 pm-4 pm, Friday, Jan. 30, 8 am-4 pm; Saturday, Jan. 31, 8 am-4 pm
Tin Can Tourists Vintage Campers – Tim Heintz, Historian of the Tin Can Tourists, can easily be found at this site displaying the biggest and oldest of the campers. He invites attendees to view these lovingly refurbished 1940-60s era trailers and learn about the lifestyle of the campers who originated this club in 1919. Mr. Heintz will explain the everyday life of these “on the road” campers who visited Florida and recorded in their journals what life “on the road” entailed in those bygone days. At least 15-20 camping trailers will be showcased. The group’s website provides a rich display of more details: www.tincantourists.com.
- Friday, Jan. 29, 8 am-5 pm; Saturday, Jan. 30, 8am-5 pm; Sunday, Jan. 31, 8am-3:30 pm
Florida Forest Service – A nature trail will display the flora and fauna of forests in the state with special emphasis on the historical fact that Arbor Day in Florida was inspired by a presentation in 1885 on the grounds of the historic Florida Chautauqua Assembly in DeFuniak Springs. Lake Yard.
- Friday, Jan. 29, 8 am-5 pm; Saturday, Jan. 30, 8 am-5 pm; Sunday, Jan. 31, 8 am-3:30 pm
Home Depot Kids Clinic – Home Depot invites you to bring the kids to the amphitheater in the Lake Yard to build birdhouses and other neat things. Building kits and hands-on instructors are provided absolutely free, courtesy of Home Depot of Panama City Beach and surrounding Home Depot stores. Lake Yard Amphitheater.
- Saturday, Jan. 30, 10 am – 2 pm
Chautauqua Cruisers Antique Car Show – Visitors will enjoy seeing vintage and antique cars from years gone by. In front of Walton County Heritage Museum (Train Depot).
- Saturday, Jan. 30, 8 am – 5 pm
Student Museum – Everyday life has undergone major changes since the 1950s when “Leave it to Beaver” seemed to define American life. Visit the Student Museum located on the second floor of the Hall of Brotherhood to see how local students represent the “Then and Now” world of the 1950s to 2016. Exhibits feature music, clothing, entertainment, medicine and integration. After viewing the exhibits, we encourage you to vote on the “People’s Choice” best exhibit. Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood, 2nd Floor, 96 Circle Drive.
- Friday, Jan. 29, 8 am-5 pm; Saturday, Jan. 30, 8 am-5 pm; Sunday, Jan. 31, 8 am-3:30 pm
Florida Chautauqua History Exhibit – This is a new collection of historical photographs, documents and photos relating to the original Florida Chautauqua history and its revival. The exhibit is coordinated by Florida Chautauqua Center Historian Robert Daniel. Special thanks go to the University of West Florida, the Florida State Archives and the University of Florida’s George Smathers Library for their assistance in providing material for this display. Florida Chautauqua Headquarters, 1290 Circle Drive.
- Friday, Jan. 29, 8 am-5 pm; Saturday, Jan. 30, 8 am-5 pm; Sunday, Jan. 31, 8 am-3:30 pm
Walton County Heritage Museum – Visit the Walton County Heritage Museum to experience DeFuniak Springs in the early 20th Century. Exhibits highlight businesses, hotels, farm life, schools, the railroad, and military service. See tableware from Hotel Chautauqua, items that belonged to Wallace Bruce, and benches from the old Chautauqua Auditorium. 1140 Circle Drive.
- Thursday, Jan. 28, 1 pm-4 pm; Friday, Jan. 29, 1 pm-4 pm; Saturday, Jan. 30, 1 pm-4 pm. Watch for the “Open” sign for extended hours.
Historic DeFuniak Springs Library – Craft projects are scheduled during Friday, January 24, along with a children’s story time with crafts at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Please note that the library opens at 9 a.m., and that the library will be open throughout the day on Saturday. 3 Circle Drive.
- Thursday, Jan. 28, 9 am-5 pm; Friday, Jan. 29, 9 am-5 pm; Saturday, Jan. 30, 9 am-5pm
Chautauqua Porcelain Show -Artists will have a variety of pieces for sale. Hand painted pieces include tea pots, vases, spoon rests, plates and cups. International award winner Mary Vinson of DeFuniak Springs was the organization’s teacher for many years. Chautauqua Porcelain Artists has welcomed guest artists from all over the United States who came and had a significant influence on local artists. Members have learned many secrets of china painting from Mary Vinson and guest artists. DeFuniak Springs Community Center, 361 North 10th Street.
- Friday, Jan. 29, 8 am-5 pm; Saturday, Jan. 30, 8 am-5 pm
For a complete list of Assembly activities, go to:florida-chautauqua-center.org/assembly_2016