BY SARA WARD AND ZOEY RITCHIE
The Orange City Blue Spring Manatee Festival Inc. presented its 39th annual Manatee Festival Saturday, Jan. 25 and Sunday, Jan. 26, in Valentine Park. Upon admission, free shuttle bus rides were offered to Blue Spring State Park to see the star of the show — the slow-moving aquatic manatees — in person.
This fun-filled event offered activities for everyone in the family, including arts and crafts, face painting, sand sculpting and much more. Live music from Titan Regiment Band and The ALT X Band were featured, with other entertainment such as a reappearance from the world-famous flying-disc dogs Disc Connected K9’s.
Ambassadors from Save the Manatee Club were in attendance, offering passionate attendees the opportunity to get involved and be “The Voice For Mantees.” This club — founded by singer Jimmy Buffett and former Florida Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham — served as a reminder that the gentle sea cows that were celebrated at this event are in danger of losing their habitat due to Florida’s growing population.
Other animal representatives showed up for the event, including Gatorland, who brought a live gator to the event for attendees to interact with.
BEACON PHOTOS/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN
