LaBelle Swamp Cabbage Festival 2025: A Celebration of History, Community & Tradition

Feb 21

For nearly six decades, the LaBelle Swamp Cabbage Festival has been a cherished small-town tradition in Southwest Florida. Every year, the festival brings together locals and visitors to celebrate LaBelle’s rich heritage, community spirit, and the iconic swamp cabbage—Florida’s state tree, the Sabal Palm.

But 2025 is a milestone year. Not only is the festival returning for its 59th annual celebration, but the city of LaBelle is turning 100 years old! This once-in-a-lifetime event promises to be bigger than ever, packed with live music, local food, historical tributes, craft vendors, and small-town charm.

Whether you’re a longtime attendee or planning your first visit, the Swamp Cabbage Festival is the perfect opportunity to embrace Florida’s pioneer spirit, taste its unique flavors, and experience the warmth of the LaBelle community.

Festival Details & What to Expect

📍 Location: LaBelle, Florida
📅 Dates: February 22-23, 2025
🎟 Admission: FREE!

This two-day festival is packed with family-friendly activities, delicious food, and exciting performances. There’s something for everyone—from history lovers and foodies to music fans and outdoor enthusiasts.

🛍 Shop unique crafts, collectibles, and apparel – Find one-of-a-kind items, including cryptid merchandise, Bigfoot apparel, handcrafted gifts, and festival-themed souvenirs.
🎶 Enjoy live music all weekend – From country and folk to Americana, this year’s entertainment lineup is better than ever.
🎭 Watch the grand parade & festival royalty – Witness the 2025 Festival Royalty coronation and a parade filled with local charm and celebration.
🏆 Celebrate LaBelle’s 100-year anniversary – Learn about LaBelle’s past, its impact on Florida’s history, and its bright future.
🌿 Taste Florida’s signature dish—swamp cabbage – Try this unique local delicacy in a variety of traditional and modern preparations.

If you love small-town festivals, community traditions, and unique experiences, you won’t want to miss LaBelle’s biggest celebration of the year!

A Look Back: The History of the Swamp Cabbage Festival

The Swamp Cabbage Festival has deep roots in LaBelle’s pioneer history. It all started in 1966, when the newly formed LaBelle Jaycees wanted to create a community-wide event that honored LaBelle’s heritage.

Inspired by the abundance of Sabal Palms in the region, the festival was designed to educate visitors about this iconic tree’s importance to Florida’s early settlers. Also known as "hearts of palm," swamp cabbage was a vital food source and building material for pioneers.

The first Swamp Cabbage Festival took place in 1967, and it was an instant success. Over the years, the festival continued to grow, evolving into one of Southwest Florida’s most anticipated annual events. Today, it remains a beloved tradition that celebrates history, culture, and community.

Live Entertainment: A Star-Studded Lineup

The 2025 Swamp Cabbage Festival will feature an incredible lineup of live music and performances.

🎵 Saturday, Feb. 22:
🎤 Aydin Holt
🎤 Hambone & Lester Beleau
🎤 Andrew Morris Band
🎤 Matrasa Lynn

🎵 Sunday, Feb. 23:
🎤 Whey Jennings
🎤 2025 Festival Royalty
🎤 Charlie Pace
🎤 Sam Lowe

With a mix of country, folk, and Southern rock, this lineup guarantees a weekend full of incredible music, dancing, and entertainment!

Festival Food: Don’t Miss These Local Favorites!

🌿 Swamp Cabbage Specialties – Try this Florida classic in stews, fritters, and traditional Southern-style dishes.
🍗 BBQ & Grilled Meats – Indulge in smoky, tender barbecue straight from the pit.
🌮 Festival Street Food – Enjoy local favorites like tacos, fried treats, and seafood dishes.
🍋 Fresh Lemonade & Sweets – Cool off with fresh-squeezed lemonade, kettle corn, and homemade desserts.

Celebrating 100 Years of LaBelle

This year, the Swamp Cabbage Festival also serves as a centennial celebration for the city of LaBelle. Founded in 1925, LaBelle grew from a small agricultural town along the Caloosahatchee River into a vibrant community that cherishes its heritage.

From its cattle ranching days to its modern developments, LaBelle has stayed true to its roots while continuing to grow.

This year’s festival theme, “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: A Travel Through History,” honors LaBelle’s connections to transportation, innovation, and exploration.

Did you know that Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone—known as The Vagabonds—once explored the LaBelle area? These legendary innovators traveled through the Florida wilderness, helping to popularize road trips and early automobile adventures.

Honoring LaBelle’s Community Leaders

🏆 Heritage Family Honoree: The Gregory Family
Each year, the festival honors a family that has contributed to LaBelle’s history. The 2025 honoree is Mrs. Bessie Lee Gregory and her family, known for their impact on education, community service, and local leadership.

🎖️ Grand Marshal: Myra Johnson
A proud Navy veteran and American Legion Commander, Myra Johnson has been a driving force in veteran advocacy, education, and community service. She will lead the Swamp Cabbage Festival Parade, honoring LaBelle’s rich traditions and future generations.

Festival Merchandise: Get Your Official Swamp Cabbage Festival Shirt!

This year’s festival shirts were designed by Southern Style Sweet Tees, featuring artwork by Jackson and a concept by Julie. The design pays tribute to LaBelle’s 100-year milestone, making it a must-have souvenir!

Be sure to visit our booth to grab your festival t-shirt, along with:
✅ Bigfoot apparel & cryptid gifts
✅ Outdoor performance shirts with SPF 50
✅ Sasquatch stickers, hats, and collectibles