In times gone by, Snook Haven was known as a fishing camp on the Myakka River, but for a backwoods hideaway, it has quite a colorful history. During Prohibition in the 1920s and 30s, smugglers traveled upstream from the Gulf of Mexico and unloaded contraband liquor for Florida customers in this remote area of the Myakka. At one time, Snook Haven was a stateside location for filming exotic jungle movies and became a staging site for a number of movies. Later on, a New England entrepreneur used the property as a private fishing camp for his male friends and their female visitors.
In the decades of the 60s and 70s, the property changed ownership a number of times. In 1987, The State of Florida designated the Myakka as one of only two “Wild and Scenic Rivers” in the state, a federal designation designed to preserve the Myakka River basin in its natural state. In 1988 Snook Haven finally became open to the public as a fishing camp with a boat ramp and a cook shack, currently the restaurant. Sarasota County purchased the property in 2006 in an effort to further protect this showcase as part of the Parks system.
Nowadays, the riverfront restaurant has become a true Old Florida landmark. It is known for live entertainment, and on Thursdays from October through May, the restaurant opens at 11 AM for Banjo Thursdays, with the Gulf Coast Banjo Association. Bay Oaks Social Seniors (BOSS) traveled to Venice, Florida, to have lunch and to experience this unique property, but mostly to hear the banjo music.
Rustic Snook Haven entrance sign
Not-so-rustic Snook Haven entrance sign
This was our first sight of the venue. By the time we arrived, around 11:30, there was already quite a crowd, and the orchestra was in full swing.
Entrance to the venue
Everything was very casual. We could have taken our seats at one of the picnic tables scattered around the grounds or have lunch inside the restaurant, which is what we did.
Jo-Anne, Butch and Becky at the entrance
Leslie and Roger went looking for an empty picnic table.
The band was quite a large orchestra, with a lot of banjos, but there were also a few other musical instruments in the mix. The band plays from 11:00 AM until 1:30, only on Thursdays.
The audience and Banjo Band seen from another view
The Snook Haven restaurant
BOSS members Carmen, Martha, Antoinette, Jan, Karen, Dora, Kathy and Natalie
in the Snook Haven restaurant
BOSS members Carmen, Martha, Antoinette, Jan, Karen, Dora, Kathy and Natalie
in the Snook Haven restaurant
Picnic benches near the river boat dock area
The restaurant terrace is up the steps on the left.
The Myakka River to the left of the river boat dock.
It may be designated a “Wild and Scenic River,” but it was pretty calm on the day we were there. “Wild” must refer to the natural state of the land the river flows through.
The Myakka River to the right of the river boat dock
The river tour cutout board with Carmen, Kathy, Becky and Antoinette
The river boat takes visitors on a one-hour tour of the Myakka River.
River boat tour information
There is one tour schedule for off-season and another during Season, February through May. It would be a great day to come to Snook Haven to hear the banjo music at lunchtime and take the 1:30 river boat tour right afterward. During Season, you’d probably need a reservation to do that.
Jo-Anne and Dan in front of a T-shirt and souvenir shop.
BOSS members Jan, Karen, Dora, Kathy and Antoinette enjoying the music after lunch
Jo-Anne and Dan in front of a T-shirt and souvenir shop.
The Banjo band and singer
There were several different soloists who performed songs with the band. The songs the band played were mostly Golden Oldies that many people in the audience could sing along to.
Musicians--a lot of banjo players and also a saxophone and an accordion player
There were several different soloists who performed songs with the band. The songs the band played were mostly Golden Oldies that many people in the audience could sing along to.
Musicians--a lot of banjo players and also a saxophone and an accordion player
Banjo musicians and singer
Banjo musicians concentrating on their music
A lone female banjo player all by herself--a beginner, maybe?
During the finale, everyone stood while the band played patriotic songs.
An exquisite (and very expensive) banjo and its owner
An exquisite (and very expensive) banjo and its owner
A close-up of the banjo
Natalie, Dora, Jan, Karen, Martha and Senior Coordinator Danielle ready to get on the bus to go home
Dan boarding the bus and Butch standing by
Yes, Snook Haven, we look forward to seeing you again, too.
No comments:
Post a Comment