Special to The Herald
The Havana History and Heritage Society will host its annual Cigar Days event on Saturday, April 25, celebrating the area’s rich history as the shade tobacco capital of the world. The event will take place at the Shade Tobacco Museum in downtown Havana, which is located in the Planters Exchange Complex, a national registered historic site.
The day’s activities will be held indoors in the newly expanded museum and outdoors in the Pavilion, featuring food outlets, local vendors and cigar lounge areas. General admission activities include tours of the Shade Tobacco Museum and its preservation plans, as well as booths by area cigar clubs and aficionados. The day begins at 10:15 a.m. with “Nora’s amazing homemade pastries” and coffee, and concludes with music and an auction at 5 p.m., led by local musician, auctioneer and storyteller Billy Blackman.
Attendees can mingle with aficionados from two modern-day cigar manufacturers: JC Newman of Tampa/Ybor City and Corona Cigars of Orlando. Master cigar roller Luis Gonzalez will be present to discuss the art of making and enjoying fine cigars.
Presentations will include a discussion on the shade tobacco era in Gadsden County. Panelists Donna Warlick, Al Lawson, Bill McKeown and Cristal Lastra will talk about the experience for local families and the future of fine cigars. Shade tobacco was grown in the Gadsden County area until the mid-1970s and was used to wrap cigars. Large cigar companies such as King Edward, Swisher and Hava-Tampa grew and processed tobacco locally, making shade tobacco a huge contributor to both the local and state economy.
Two separate ticketed events are available. The Bourbon & Cigars event will teach participants about the relationship between fine cigars and good bourbon. Presented by Corona Cigar Company owner Jeff Borysiewicz and aficionados from JC Newman, the $35-ticketed event includes a quality cigar, a flight of bourbon samples and souvenir shot glasses. Tables can be reserved.
A separate $25-ticketed session offers hands-on training with Luis Gonzalez on rolling your own cigars, with fine cigars provided to take home and enjoy.
Tickets for both events are available via the Museum Shop or online at www.havanahistoryheritage.com.
