VERO BEACH — See what Waldo built! That would be Waldo Emerson Sexton , the man who launched businesses, created and built unique buildings, planted trees, started a dairy, served as the first president of the Indian River Citrus League and then built Vero’s tallest mountain!
All in one day? Well, no, but it does make one ask, “Did Waldo ever sleep?”
On Tuesday, July 29, the Heritage Center will launch its first in a series of tours around Indian River County.
Nestled in a quiet corner in downtown Vero Beach, one might wonder what goes on in that big building called the Heritage Center. Not only does it play host to special events such as the annual Pioneer Dinner, the Heritage Celebration, and bridal shows, but also houses the unique Indian River Citrus Museum and Gift Shop.
It was at the last Pioneer Dinner where the idea of creating tours of Indian River County was born. Just looking at the long list of pioneer families in Indian River County validates that it is a county rich in history that needs to be shared with Indian River County residents and visitors.
A short time later, members of the Vero Heritage Board of Directors met with the Supervisor of the Archive Center at the Indian River County Library and the owners and operators of Day Trippin’ with Patti & Vicky LLC.
Together they brainstormed for ideas on how to raise money to benefit the Heritage Center and Museum by hosting tours.
The general consensus was positive and it was agreed that the inaugural tour would feature buildings that Waldo Sexton had built. The July 29 tour will begin at 10 a.m. at the Heritage Center where participants will receive an introduction and tour of the Indian River Citrus Museum before boarding a comfortable air-conditioned bus with local historians Pam Cooper and Janie Gould, who will take them on a colorful and historical journey around Vero Beach.
Cost of the tour is $55 per person and will include visits to the Szechuan Palace for a cup of tea, spring roll and tour of the building, a walk-through at the Driftwood Inn, stops at the Oslo Packing House, Patio Restaurant and the site of Waldo’s Mountain and a tour of the Hall of Giants at McKee Botanical Gardens.
The tour group will take a lunch break at the Ocean Grill Restaurant where participants will have the option of dining while learning the history of one of Vero Beach’s most popular restaurants. The cost of lunch, however, will not be included in the $55 tour price.
An information packet along with snacks and bottled water will also be included in the tour cost.
To learn more about the Heritage Center’s Inaugural Tour, “See What Waldo Built,” call Rebecca Rickey at (772) 770-2263.
Reservations are required and tickets may be purchased at the Indian River Citrus Museum located at the Heritage Center in Downtown Vero Beach.
Future Indian River County tours will feature downtown Vero Beach, Fellsmere, Sebastian and the beach side of Vero.
