Glades County

Glades County, by location, landscape, and culture, represents the heartland of Florida. Here agriculture remains the primary industry for its residents and its natural resources remain their playground, which they hope to share with you.

GLADES COUNTY

Named for the Florida Everglades, Glades County was created in 1921 from DeSoto County. It is located in inland south Florida on the western bank of Lake Okeechobee, the largest freshwater lake in Florida.

Visitors to the county seat of Moore Haven or any one of the unincorporated communities of  Brighton, Buckhead Ridge, Lakeport, Muse, Ortona, or Palmdale, can enjoy an abundance of natural resources, and a variety of recreational activities, from biking to boating, hiking to hunting, birding to bingo—or you can always go fish…

• Brighton
• Buckhead Ridge
• Lakeport
• Moore Haven
• Muse
• Ortana
• Palmdale

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Art in the Park

The Glades County Library Advisory Board and Friends of the Library host Art in the Park, the last Saturday in January from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Glades County Public Library, 201 Riverside Dr. Moore Haven, FL 33471   and Tom Perry Memorial Park in Moore Haven. The event includes an antique car show, food booths, live entertainment, and a non-juried art show. Admission is free.  For more information,, please call Mary Booher, Director of Libraries at (863) 946-0744.

Buckhead Ridge Catfish Festival

The Buckhead Ridge Volunteer Fire Department hosts the annual Catfish Festival the last Saturday in January in the Buckhead Ridge Community Park, behind the fire station at 30076 SR 78 E, Okeechobee, FL 34974. The event features live music, arts and crafts vendors, and their famous catfish. Admission is $7. For more information, phone (812) 571-1919.

Ortona Cane Grinding Festival

The annual Cane Grinding Festival returns to Ortona Indian Mound Park the first Saturday in February from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entertainment features bluegrass music, clogging and vendor booths. Watch sugar cane being ground, and cane syrup made the old-fashioned way. Admission is $9 at the gate for adults and includes a barbecue dinner. For more information, phone (863) 675-4001.

Sour Orange Festival

The Lakeport Community Association hosts the annual Sour Orange Festival and Rib Cook Off the third Saturday in January. Featuring live music, fun starts at 9 a.m. with the flag raising ceremony at the festival grounds at 1239 Red Barn Road in Lakeport. Lots of local crafts and food vendors plus Lakeport’s famous Sour Orange Pies and the Sour Orange Bake-off. For more information, phone (863) 227-4674.

Party Under the Bridge

The Fraternal Order of the Eagles hosts the annual Party Under The Bridge the third Saturday of February on First Street in Moore Haven. The event features bike games, a motorcycle show, lawn mower pulls, an oldies car show, live music and more. For more information, phone (863) 245-8115.

Chalo Nitka Big Bass Fishing Tournament

The annual Chalo Nitka Big Bass Tournament is held the last Saturday in February at Alvin Ward Park, Herbert Hoover Dike, Moore Haven, FL 33471, from safelight until 1 p.m. Entry fee is $25 per person. Find a team and bring your boat! Over $3000 in guaranteed cash prizes. There’s a mystery gift for Lucky 13th place. The angler weighing in the biggest bass and wearing a Chalo Nitka t-shirt will win an additional $100. A Critter Division, sponsored by Ahern’s Shell, gives the angler who brings in the largest Mudfish, Garr, or Catfish a chance to win $100.

Enter online at www.chalonitka.com For more information,, phone (863) 946-0300.

Chalo Nitka Festival and Rodeo

The Chalo Nitka Festival and Ranch Rodeo the first weekend in March offers something for everyone. Enjoy carnival rides, food, arts and crafts, live entertainment, and Florida Seminole Indian culture, including alligator wrestling.  Catch live rodeo action Friday and Saturday nights featuring bull riding, barrel racing, and the wild cow-milking contest! For more information, phone (863) 946-0300.

Honey Festival in Muse

The Muse Community hosts the annual Honey Festival the last Saturday in March from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Muse Community Building, 2879 Loblolly Bay Road, La Belle, FL 33935. For more information, phone (239) 340-1575.