The 2005 celebration marked the return of real okra. The 2004 attendees had endured "faux-kra" -- a poor substitute for the home-grown version, and the Lochridge garden had survived Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne. This year's gathering welcomed our first baby and youngest attendee - Malcolm Steinhoff, who was born shortly after Okrafest 2004.
Top row: The official T-shirt front and back, designed (as always) by Mount Dora artist Spencer Pettit.
Middle row: Rose and Elvis Lochridge, the official OkraFest mascots, don special neckwear for the celebration. 2005 Queen Heather McPherson of Mount Dora (Spencer's wife and Orlando Sentinel food editor) goes over the top in surprise at her coronation (by 2004 Queen Sarah Steinhoff)
Bottom: The ceremonial harvesting, and Heather and Spencer in the back yard.
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