Written by Saturday, Nov. 14, has two very different ways to spend a morning close to Middleton: paddlers racing dragon boats at Eastport, and a walk through Florida history at Dade Battlefield in Bushnell.
First Annual Dragon Boat Rodeo, Eastport
- When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Where: Sunset Island at Eastport’s Central Lake
- Schedule: Opening ceremony at the Nautical Star at 8 a.m., races at 9 a.m., award ceremony at the Nautical Star at noon.
Four teams, including Grand Masters Dragon Boat Club members and other Villager paddlers, compete in three races on Central Lake. Spectators watch from Sunset Island, with refreshments and performances by the Eastport Show Choir and the Chinese Villagers Club, according to The Villages’ event page.
Florida Heritage Day, Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
- When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: 7200 Battlefield Parkway, Bushnell
- Cost: $5 per vehicle, covering park entry and the event
The park hosts a living-history timeline of several key periods in Florida history, with music, folk crafts, pioneer games for children and hands-on activities for kids and adults, per Florida State Parks. The Dade Battlefield Society lists a food vendor too. It’s an easy pick for families with young kids.
Doing both? Catch the morning races at Eastport, then head to Bushnell before Heritage Day wraps up at 3 p.m.
Which one are you heading to this weekend? Tell us in the comments.
Sources: The Villages, Nov. 9, 2026; Florida State Parks event listing; Dade Battlefield Society event listing.