Highlands Hammock State Park is the oldest park built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a program that helped boys survive the Great Depression by working in national parks, state parks and national forests.
Saturday, the park is hosting the 29th Annual CCC Festival in their honor. The festival will have as a special guest Betty Jean Steinshouer, an actor whose father was a member of the CCC. She will perform her popular portrayal of the author of "The Yearling," an act that unveils the American author's economic hardships.
She will invite returning CCC alumni to join her on stage. Organizers say it's a great opportunity for young people to meet CCC members. The festival will include antique cars, tram rides and an exhibition by the Highwaymen, a group of black painters who weren't allowed to display their art in galleries in the 1950's and 60's.
The event takes place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
