As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, the Swamp Cabbage Festival team would like to extend our warmest wishes to you and your family. Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, gratitude, and celebration—a season when we come together as a community to honor traditions, cherish family, and recognize the blessings in our lives.

The Origins of Thanksgiving: A Tradition of Gratitude

Thanksgiving is rooted in a history of gratitude and togetherness. The holiday dates back to 1621, when the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people shared a feast to celebrate a successful harvest and express mutual gratitude. Over the centuries, this tradition has grown into a national holiday, uniting families and communities across the country. Today, Thanksgiving remains a time to pause and reflect on all we have to be thankful for, while celebrating the importance of connection and community.

Here in LaBelle, Thanksgiving serves as a reminder of the deep heritage we share as a town and as a festival. Just as the Pilgrims and Wampanoag came together in a spirit of collaboration and generosity, we strive to celebrate these same values in the Swamp Cabbage Festival—honoring our history, traditions, and the people who make our community so special.

Honoring Heritage and Traditions

In Southwest Florida, Thanksgiving traditions are as unique as the people who call this area home. Some of us gather with loved ones for a traditional turkey feast, while others prepare dishes inspired by the diverse cultures that make up our community. Many families include a slice of Florida in their celebrations, with fresh local produce, seafood, or a treasured swamp cabbage recipe passed down through generations.

The spirit of heritage is also woven into the Swamp Cabbage Festival, where we celebrate LaBelle’s unique history and culture each February. From the Sabal Palm, our state tree and an important historical food source, to the local traditions that make LaBelle feel like home, we’re reminded of the value of honoring the past while embracing the present.

Thanksgiving: A Time for Togetherness

At its heart, Thanksgiving is about coming together. It’s a time to share meals, stories, and laughter with the people who matter most. Whether you’re gathered around a long dining table with extended family or hosting a cozy dinner with friends, the act of sharing and connecting is what makes this holiday so meaningful.

As a festival that celebrates community, we see the same spirit of Thanksgiving in the Swamp Cabbage Festival. Every February, our town comes alive with the sounds of music, the sight of joyful families, and the sense of pride that comes from being part of something bigger than ourselves. Thanksgiving reminds us of the importance of these moments—when we set aside time to appreciate the people and traditions that shape our lives.

From Our Family to Yours

This Thanksgiving, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating the values of gratitude, heritage, and community. Take time to reflect on the traditions that bring meaning to your life and the people who make it special. Share a meal, make a memory, and remember that the heart of any celebration lies in the joy of coming together.

From all of us at the Swamp Cabbage Festival, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter, and togetherness. We can’t wait to celebrate with you in February as we continue to honor LaBelle’s heritage and the traditions that make our community extraordinary.

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃