Mixon Fruit Farms Celebrates 70 Years of Making Memories

Mixon Fruit Farms Celebrates
70 Years of Making Memories
I
t started in 1939 with
20 acres and a little fruit
stand in front of Mixon’s
big old house. Many
changes have happened in
the past 70 years. Mixon’s
was one of the first gift
fruit shippers in Florida.
The Mixon family has been
innovative in the citrus
industry. Bill and Dean
The Mixons: (L to R) Don Sandhoff, Bill Sandhoff,
Mixon have made many
Mary
Mixon, Janet Mixon, Dean Mixon, Bill Mixon,
citrus industry
Sam Mixon, Diana Mixon, and Rick Permuy (back).
improvements that
as a way of doing
have been used
something nice for
all over the State.
the community. “It is
In 2005 the
very family oriented”
family decided to
says Janet. “We make
retire because of
it from 6 – 9 p.m.
ongoing problems
so it is not a late
with citrus regulanight crazy event.”
tions. “We prayed
On January 17,
about it,” says
2009, over 200 people attended a
Dean Mixon, “and we felt that God
grand banquet in honor of the 70th
wanted us to make a place where all
Anniversary of Mixon’s. Mayor
kinds of memories could be made.”
Wayne Posten of Bradenton awarded
So, in 2006 Janet and Dean Mixon
Janet and Dean Mixon the “Key to the
bought out the rest of the family.
City” for their contribution to the comNow Mixon’s not only has a packing
munity. They also received the Florida
house, juice room and a 14,000 sf.
Gift Fruit Shippers
gift shoppe, but you
“Founders Award.”
can also step outside
Mixon Fruit Farms
and hop on the tram
and Harvey Groves
for a ride through the
of the East Coast are
orange grove. The tram
the only remaining
tour takes approxigroves that founded
mately an hour and
the Florida gift
you learn about citrus
Fruit Shippers
and the Mixon family
Organization.
and stop at Matthews
“Diversifying is the
Wildlife Rescue.
only way a business
Justin Matthews Rescan make it in the
cue is used to educate
present economy,”
people about the wild
Mayor Wayne Posten
says Dean Mixon.
animals. We have an
awards Janet and Dean
“We knew that we
alligator, deer, raccoon,
Mixon the “Key to the City.”
had to give people
pythons, owls and
many reasons to
much more. “You can get really up
close and personal,” says Janet Mixon. make the trip.” Now, families can
come and take the tour, enjoy lunch
In 2008 Mixon’s added a 4,200 sf
and an orange swirl ice cream cone,
pavilion, gazebo, pond, waterfall and
taste some homemade fudge and
tropical gardens that have already
sample Florida Wines. Mixon’s not
been the location for 25 beautiful
only ships the best fruit in the state
weddings in the first year. Mixon’s
but is also a great destination.
has one or two free concerts a month
Mixon Farms offers tram tours, homemade
treats and free monthly concerts.