Manatee County To Host World Oceans Day Festival

PALMETTO, FL – Manatee County’s Parks and Natural Resources Department will host the second annual World Oceans Day Festival on Saturday, June 9 at Emerson Point Preserve. The free festival will kick off at 9 a.m. and continue until noon.

The World Oceans Day Festival is a fun, family-friendly event celebrating the salty seas. A variety of free ocean-themed activities will be available for participants to learn about Worlds Oceans Day. Dip nets into the waters of the Manatee River and discover the creatures hiding beneath the waves. Learn amazing facts about large marine wildlife — like sea turtles. Play oyster games and explore the history of fishing in Manatee County. Participants will even get a chance to touch a boat and paddle in a kayak.

World Oceans Day represents a partnership between Manatee County and multiple other water- and ocean-related organizations in Southwest Florida. This year’s partners include the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Program, IFAS Extension Sea Grant of Manatee County, Florida Maritime Museum, Wayne Adventures, Florida Public Archaeology Network, and Manatee County’s own Environmental Protection Division and Ecological and Marine Services Division.

Exhibitors are contributing hands-on educational activities and information that will help participants learn more about the world’s oceans and the amazing variety of life that inhabits them.

The festival will take place at Emerson Point Preserve, a 365-acre preserve located at 5801 17th St. W., Palmetto. The preserve is situated at the mouth of the Manatee River and Tampa Bay where the salt and fresh waters meet as an estuary. The location of the preserve provides Manatee County residents and visitors with a place to relax and enjoy outdoor recreation such as kayaking and fishing. Visitors can also enjoy wildlife watching, often spotting osprey, egrets, jumping mullet, raccoons and even dolphins.

The free event is hosted by Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department. For more information, visit the event's Facebook page.
Images via Manatee County Government