Walton County Fairgrounds

Enjoy live animals from all around the world!  Brian Staples of Brian Staples Animal Reserve and Rescue of Clayton, Washington, will return this year with monkeys, kangaroos, camels and other exotic animals.  Other exhibitors are Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, Florida Forestry Service, Florida’s Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, 4-H, Walton Animal Control, and Master Gardeners, just to name a few.  This exhibit is a smoke-free environment and is sponsored in part by the Walton County Prevention Coalition and Students Working Against Tobacco. 

• Friday, January 27, 2012, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, January 28, 2012, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Lake Yard

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, return on Sunday for live entertainment by the 97^th Regimental String Band before and after a Civil War Reenactment.

• Friday, January 27, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, January 28, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, January 29, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

1140 Circle Drive

Walton 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 the Hotel Chautauqua, items that belonged to Wallace Bruce, and benches from the Chautauqua auditorium.

• Thursday, January 26, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Friday, January 27, 1:00 – 4:00
• Saturday, January 28, 10:00 – 4:00
• Sunday, January 29, 1:00 – 4:00 

Lake Yard

Visit a small camp resembling the living conditions of original Florida Frontiersmen.  This outdoor exhibit is orchestrated by Kevin Chilcutt of DeFuniak Springs of the Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship (FCF).  This fellowship is a ministry to boys and men operating under the theme of the Frontiersman from the late 1700s to about 1840, the time of the last great rendezvous.  FCF is an advancement for the Royal Rangers, a boys mentoring program originating through the Assembly of God churches.

• Friday, January 27, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, January 28, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, January 29, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood

Photographic display of American Presidents who were Masons provided by the 3^rd Masonic District of the Grand Lodge of Florida, Free & Accepted Mason’s.  Display is sponsored through a contribution by Mrs. Patricia Bailey in memory of her husband, Edward.

• Thursday, January 26, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Friday, January 27, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, January 28, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, January 29, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Walton County Fairgrounds

“Hall of Presidents” Student Museum:  Large exhibits by various schools throughout Walton County School District on the American Presidents.  This is where the Florida Chautauqua Center challenges schools to learn about various issues as we decide our annual theme.

• Friday, January 27, 2012, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, January 28, 2012, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Community Center

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.  This exhibit is coordinated by DeFuniak Springs resident Robert Daniel.  Special thanks 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.

• Friday, January 27, 2012, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, January 28, 2012, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Community Center

Chautauqua Porcelain Show:   Artists will have a variety of pieces for sale.  Handpainted 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.  From Mary Vinson to guest artists, members have learned many secrets of china painting.

• Friday, January 27, 2012, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, January 28, 2012, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.