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Photos from the Great Florida Cattle Drive '16

By on Thu, Feb 18, 2016 at 12:16 am

Every 10 years, hundreds of men, women and children take part in one of the most Floridian of living-history experiences, called the Great Florida Cattle Drive. They travel from near and far with their horses, trailers and gear to take part in the experience, during which they drive 500 head of Florida Cracker cattle – one of the oldest and rarest breeds of cattle in the country, directly related to livestock brought to Florida in the 1500s by Spanish conquistadors – 60 miles from St. Cloud to Kissimmee. They do it the old-school way – they ride horseback or in wagons the whole way, they camp in tents and they eat their meals around a campfire. Many bring their kids along for the experience.

Read our complete story on the cattle drive here. 

01/30/2016
Photos by Willie J. Allen Jr. http://www.williejallenjr.com
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(Left to Right) Max Coggins, 8, his grandfather and trail boss Mike Wilder and twin brother Rhett Coggins lead hundreds of cracker cows and riders in the Great Florida Cattle Drive 2016 in Kenansville, Florida. The Great Florida Cattle Drive is a living-history event that commemorates the culture of Florida's cow hunters. The six-day drive is an authentic reenactment of what life was like during a cattle drive in Florida in the 1800s. It recreates, the challenges, hardships and good times for modern day Floridians to experience.
Willie J. Allen Jr.
(Left to Right) Max Coggins, 8, his grandfather and trail boss Mike Wilder and twin brother Rhett Coggins lead hundreds of cracker cows and riders in the Great Florida Cattle Drive 2016 in Kenansville, Florida. The Great Florida Cattle Drive is a living-history event that commemorates the culture of Florida's cow hunters. The six-day drive is an authentic reenactment of what life was like during a cattle drive in Florida in the 1800s. It recreates, the challenges, hardships and good times for modern day Floridians to experience.
After completing nearly 60-mile drive, cracker cows and cattle rest at the water hole near Silver Spur's Arena in Kenansville.
Willie J. Allen Jr.
After completing nearly 60-mile drive, cracker cows and cattle rest at the water hole near Silver Spur's Arena in Kenansville.
A hand-painted horse, created by Linda Ballantine Brown, with the history of Florida and the Great Florida Cattle Drive painted on it sits just outside the Silver Spurs Arena in Kenansville. The painted horse was given away in a raffle with a host of other items related to the cattle drive.
Willie J. Allen Jr.
A hand-painted horse, created by Linda Ballantine Brown, with the history of Florida and the Great Florida Cattle Drive painted on it sits just outside the Silver Spurs Arena in Kenansville. The painted horse was given away in a raffle with a host of other items related to the cattle drive.
Riders rest their horses in the tall grasses of Kenansville. The riders traveled from as far away as Germany, England, South America, California, North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee and nearby states like Georgia and Alabama.
Willie J. Allen Jr.
Riders rest their horses in the tall grasses of Kenansville. The riders traveled from as far away as Germany, England, South America, California, North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee and nearby states like Georgia and Alabama.
356 registered participants drove the cracker cows from South St. Cloud about 60 miles to Kenansville over six days.
Willie J. Allen Jr.
356 registered participants drove the cracker cows from South St. Cloud about 60 miles to Kenansville over six days.
Benjamin Depart The Cracker Tenor plays his song "Cow Hunter Dreams" for the crowd gathered and waiting for the participants in the Great Florida Cattle Drive '16 at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kenansville. WILLIE J. ALLEN JR.
Willie J. Allen Jr.
Benjamin Depart The Cracker Tenor plays his song "Cow Hunter Dreams" for the crowd gathered and waiting for the participants in the Great Florida Cattle Drive '16 at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kenansville. WILLIE J. ALLEN JR.
Donna Compton, of Youngsville, North Carolina removes her hat during The Star Spangled Banner at the end of the The Great Florida Cattle Drive '16. WILLIE J. ALLEN JR.
Willie J. Allen Jr.
Donna Compton, of Youngsville, North Carolina removes her hat during The Star Spangled Banner at the end of the The Great Florida Cattle Drive '16. WILLIE J. ALLEN JR.
While having his photograph taken, Justin Mickelsen, 13, stands atop his horse and cracks his whip at the end of the Great Florida Cattle Drive '16. "Awesome." said Mickelsen of Mobile, Alabama about his six day trip into the Florida wilderness.
Willie J. Allen Jr.
While having his photograph taken, Justin Mickelsen, 13, stands atop his horse and cracks his whip at the end of the Great Florida Cattle Drive '16. "Awesome." said Mickelsen of Mobile, Alabama about his six day trip into the Florida wilderness.
J. Dawe-Ivines, was just one of the many women participating in the Great Florida Cattle Drive '16 and experience life as it was for a Cow Hunter in Florida during the 1800s. Women, Native Americans, African Americans and Hispanics all worked as cow hunters in Florida and the rest of the Americas.
Willie J. Allen Jr.
J. Dawe-Ivines, was just one of the many women participating in the Great Florida Cattle Drive '16 and experience life as it was for a Cow Hunter in Florida during the 1800s. Women, Native Americans, African Americans and Hispanics all worked as cow hunters in Florida and the rest of the Americas.
Many of the of the participants dressed in period clothing during the drive.
Willie J. Allen Jr.
Many of the of the participants dressed in period clothing during the drive.
Hundreds of sightseers, family and friends waited anxiously for the return of the cow hunters.
Willie J. Allen Jr.
Hundreds of sightseers, family and friends waited anxiously for the return of the cow hunters.
Jonnie Wall-Flewelling eagerly kisses her husband Greg Flewelling on his horse on his return from the drive.
Willie J. Allen Jr.
Jonnie Wall-Flewelling eagerly kisses her husband Greg Flewelling on his horse on his return from the drive.
Sarah Carter, 13, rides her horse bareback on the back side of the Silver Spurs Arena in Kenansville. Carter, of Jacksonville, had friends and family that were on the drive.
Willie J. Allen Jr.
Sarah Carter, 13, rides her horse bareback on the back side of the Silver Spurs Arena in Kenansville. Carter, of Jacksonville, had friends and family that were on the drive.
Nearly 500 head of cracker cows and other cattle made the almost 60-mile trip.
Willie J. Allen Jr.
Nearly 500 head of cracker cows and other cattle made the almost 60-mile trip.
Along with the 400 plus riders and volunteers on the trip about 20 wagons braved the journey.
Willie J. Allen Jr.
Along with the 400 plus riders and volunteers on the trip about 20 wagons braved the journey.
Lori Wilfcord-Herbenick, Jacksonville, waters her daughter Katana's horse Flicka, at the end of the ride.
Willie J. Allen Jr.
Lori Wilfcord-Herbenick, Jacksonville, waters her daughter Katana's horse Flicka, at the end of the ride.

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