Microbrewery continues the moonshine tradition. Page 11B

Flagler Spirits

Matanzas celebrates Palm Coast’s diversity.

MULTI-CULTURALSee Page 6B.

Laying tile, building spring memories. Page 4B

HABITAT

www.PalmCoastObserver.com THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011

Neighborhood■ BUSINeSS ■ CaLeNDaR ■ CLaSSIFIeDS ■ eVeNTS ■ ReaL eSTaTe ■ TRaVeL ■ WeaTHeR ■

crack the whip

56th Cracker Day steers in thousandsFlagler County Cracker Day has moved

from what is now the Flagler County Air-port to the Strickland family’s property in Favorita. In 1972, the event finally found its permanent home at the Flagler Coun-ty Fairgrounds.

In the past, the annual rodeo has been canceled because its members have gone to fight in World War II, and the date has been changed because it conflicted with the annual University of Florida versus University of Georgia football game.

This year, the 56th-annual Flagler County Cracker Day held Saturday, March 26, drew a crowd of 2,500 people.

“I think people got everything that they came out for,” said Pat Cody, of the Flagler County Cattlemen’s Association. “They got to see cowboys taking the bulls back, cracking the whip, and I think they really liked that.”

Every year, Cracker Day is dedicated to a Flagler County resident. This year, the rodeo was dedicated to Michael “Budgey” Durrance.

Durrance has been a Flagler County resident for 59 years and raised cattle in the Hammock before moving to Haw Creek. He has two sons and three grand-children.

Cracker Day is held every third Satur-day of March.

By Shanna Fortier | Staff Writer

Junior Bull Riding Rodney PadgettSenior Bull Riding The BullBuddy Pick-up Kacie Burk and Dana Charles Christa Hancock and Austin Coffman Lynne Taylor and Emy Woods Brandy Greenwood and Amira Kennedy Ilana Shimmer and Kaitlyn Bennett Kaitlyn McCabe and John Hawrying Dustin Dyson and Tim DysonBarrels Katie PalmerSteer Saddlin’ Dylan Prine, Wyatt Saey, Trae Coatts and Kevin MillerChute Doggin’ Raymond MiddletonSack Race Amber Marry and George Taylor

FIRST-PLACE RODEO WINNERS

Photos by Shanna Fortier

Trae Coates attempts to hang on Saturday, March 26, during the senior bull-riding contest.

Cousins Casey Jaeger and Bryson Holmes watch as their siblings get ready to ride at Cracker Day.

Ashley Mullins, 2010 Cracker Day Queen, and Casey Jaeger.

Cracker Day has been a Flagler County tradition for the last 56 years.

Rough Rider Queen Amanda Farmer leads the flag in the opening ceremony. Chet Peck serves a barbecue lunch.Austin and James Ziegler

Rick Adams, Trisha Bullock and Jennifer Jenkins

Jessica Stevens prepares to ride in the opening ceremony.