Annual Old Miakka Hootenanny set for Sunday in Sarasota

There’s no shortage of outdoor entertainment events in rustic settings in the Bradenton area, but there’s no event with more authentically rural roots than The Miakka Fall Hootenanny.

This year’s event, slated for Sunday, will be the 102nd annual edition of the hootenanny. That means it started way back when Woodrow Wilson was president and people didn’t think that “hootenanny” was a funny-sounding word.

It promises to be a whole lot of country fun, with live music from folk-oriented acts Sparky Baxley and Myakka the Band, plus clogging shows by the Clogging Clovers. But there’s a serious point to all that frivolity.

The money from the hootenanny goes to help preserve the Old Miakka School House.

The schoolhouse building dates back to 1914. It was built from heart of pine, but the years and exposure to weather took their toll, and much of the original lumber has been replaced. Twenty-three years later “modern outhouses” were added.

Here’s the entertainment lineup for the day:

10-10:45 a.m.: Sparky Baxley

11-11:45 a.m.: Clogging Clovers

Noon-12:45 p.m.: Sparky Baxley

1-1:45 p.m.: Myakka the Band

2-2:45 p.m: Clogging Clovers

3-4 p.m.: Myakka the Band

Music is the main attraction, since it’s a hootenanny, but orchids, homemade soaps, jewelry, crafts, paintings, educational booths, live music, a Civil War re-enactment, children’s games, pottery, doggie goodies, worm castings, a silent auction, barbecue, hot dogs, desserts, drinks, something called a wheel of cake, the Dakin Cow Train, collectibles and lots of other stuff are all part of the festivities. You can also tour the old schoolhouse.

Admission and parking are free.

Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 2, Old Miakka Schoolhouse, 15800 Wilson Road, Sarasota. Free. 941-322-2164, foff.org.

This story was originally published September 28, 2016 at 5:05 PM with the headline "Annual Old Miakka Hootenanny set for Sunday in Sarasota."