- March 25, 2025
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Janet Zumfelde of Purses Just 4 U said Dag Fest was perfect for her wares. The late Dagmar Beavers, whose property hosted the festival March 22 in Myakka City, was described as somewhat of a "hippie" by her friends.
Photo by Jay HeaterTwo-year-old Abigail Tillett visits with some goats in the petting zoo at Dag Fest.
Photo by Jay HeaterEleven-month-old Waylon Gilmore gets a boost from his aunt, Danielle Gilmore, during Dag Fest. Danielle Gilmore ran the Seaside Spectrums booth.
Photo by Jay HeaterDag Fest offered plenty of good food, such a barbecue.
Photo by Jay HeaterAnimals come and go in the petting zoo at Dag Fest.
Photo by Jay HeaterAfter musicians Rich Odato and Scott Hunt finished playing with Cassie Jean and the Fireflies at Dag Fest, they enjoyed some barbecue that was being sold by a food vendor.
Photo by Jay HeaterTony Tillett of Duette caught a goat that had escaped from a petting zoo pen at Dag Fest March 22.
Photo by Jay HeaterMyakka City's Tim Dodge performed with Tim Dodge and Friends at Dag Fest.
Photo by Jay HeaterOwner Tom Schlund stands next to a vintage phonograph that was just one of the items offered at the Groovy Room that was a vendor booth at Dag Fest.
Photo by Jay HeaterRon Neal was playing guitar with the Tim Dodge and Friends group at Dag Fest in Myakka City March 22.
Photo by Jay HeaterJonathon Hartsfield entertained the crowd at Dag Fest in Myakka City.
Photo by Jay HeaterTina Berger puts a temporary tattoo on Alicia Ackerland during Dag Fest.
Photo by Jay HeaterAlicia Ackerland shows off the temporary tattoo she received from Tina Berger during Dag Fest.
Photo by Jay HeaterKay Rosaire, the owner of Big Cat Habitat, makes the rounds at Dag Fest using a golf cart. Proceeds from the festival benefitted Big Cat Habitat.
Photo by Jay HeaterSouthern Pride takes the stage during an afternoon show at Dag Fest.
Photo by Jay HeaterMarilyn Moss sits under a vintage hair dryer with her partner Tom Schlund behind her. The pair own The Groovy Room of Venice and had their "mobile 70s and 80s show" set up at Dagfest in Myakka City.
Photo by Jay HeaterA turtle from the Big Cat Habitat gets some loving from 10-year-old Annabelle Wendell during Dag Fest.
Aila Garden rides Disney around the Dag Fest grounds to promote the pony rides that were being offered.
Photo by Jay Heater
Roberto Villanueva played the drums with the Tom Dodge and Friends group at Dag Fest In Myakka City.
Photo by Jay HeaterJanet Zumfelde had quite the assortment of tie-dyed items in her Purses Just 4 U vendor booth at Dag Fest March 22 in Myakka City.
The festival was put together by Sharyn "Sparky" Baxley, Kay Rosaire and Nancy Nallin to honor the late Dagmar Beavers, who was a circus entertainer, a musician and somewhat of a "hippie." This year's event is the second annual on Beavers' Myakka City property.
"It's a good vibe here," Zumfelde said. "I was here last year because I am friends with Sparky and I used to go hear Dagmar play at O'Leary's. It is perfect here."
Rosaire, whose Big Cat Habitat benefits from proceeds from the event, didn't say the event was perfect but she called the second Dag Fest "bigger and better," and said it will continue to build over the years. Rosaire said she will add some circus acts to the festival next year.
Both Rosaire and Beavers, who were best friends, had circus ties.
Beavers gave her land to Rosaire and Nallin with the request that they preserve the land in its current state and they don't develop it. She also had wanted to host a music festival on her property before she died.
That didn't happen, but the three women wanted to fulfill her wishes with Dag Fest, which featured live music all day March 22, a petting zoo and pony rides for kids, and plenty of food and drink vendor booths.
"It's so beautiful here," Rosaire said as she looked over the festival on Beavers' land. "Dagmar was all about community, and there is no concrete here."
