September 10, 2018

As the first city hosting the Smithsonian Crossroads Exhibit, Cedar Key hosted an opening and a fete at the Library and the Chamber of Commerce patio on Saturday, September 8, 2018, from 4 until 6 pm, in Cedar Key style. Some ninety people attended from locals to the mayor to many visitors from out of town.

The exhibit, Change in Rural America, is an interactive display housed upstairs in the Library and is intended to provoke visitors’ thoughts about how rural communities, such as Cedar Key, have come to be, morphed, and remained vibrant, instead of disappearing, as so many have. “The exhibit brings with it a wonderful cultural opportunity that enhances businesses, ecotourism, and pride in the area,” explained Vice-Mayor Sue Colson .

Echoing the exhibit, the downstairs food and drink mirrored very Cedar Key. Heath Davis’ Cedar Key clams were cooked by Ricky Cooke, who also brought mullet.   Nature Coast Biological Station’s Mendy and Mike Allen brought artichoke dip and sangria and decorated the setting.   Tony’s brought Tony’s Clam Chowder. The Colsons brought meatballs, clam dip, and a salad on bamboo skewers. Stefani’s Island Room brought shrimp and crab wraps, the Bair’s Island Hotel stuffed mushrooms, Skarupski’s Market meat and cheese platters, Gill’s Stammers gator bites, and Duncan’s more. Drummond Bank provided more sangria and wine.

Your opportunity to view the exhibit will be from September 9 through October 20:

Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am until 4 pm;

Sundays through Thursdays from 1 pm until 4 pm.

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