The film is a search for Floridians preserving Americana across the backroads, coastline, and old main streets of the Sunshine State.
Arcadia is showcased in a new film, “Our Vanishing Americana: Florida,” created by public television station, WEDU PBS.
The film, which debuts June 23 at 9 p.m., captures the spirit of Florida’s Main Streets through nearly 30 short stories from across the state. The documentary will be aired various times throughout the summer.
In each location, photographer Mike Lassiter, showcases businesses and locations – like general stores, barber shops and local theaters – to reflect a time when such small-town institutions were at the heart of daily life and community connections.
While some of these places still remain, many have disappeared, leaving behind only memories and remnants of a bygone era.
In Arcadia, Lassiter documents three historic features — Wheeler’s Café, the Historic Heard Opera House, and the almost century-old Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo.
Directed by Eric Davis, with executive producers Scott Galloway and Mike Lassiter, the documentary is part of the “Our Vanishing Americana” series, which began in Chapel Hill, NC in the 1980s and has received four Emmy nominations.
Broadcast Details:
Movie: Our Vanishing Americana: Florida (wedu.org/americana) – 60-minute film produced by Eric Davis
Date/Time: Monday, June 23, 2025 at 9 p.m.
Channels: WEDU (16 counties on the west coast of Florida) Find your provider’s channel at: https://www.wedu.org/watch/how-to-watch