Manatee’s Softest Reef Opens Saturday. Bring the Kids.

Manatee County sports 13 artificial reefs, creating habitat on the sandy seafloor. On Saturday, a 14^th reef will appear in the Valentine House at the Robinson Preserve.

It is the product of more than a year of work by 20 volunteers to create – with yarn and other textiles – an immersive underwater experience. Fish and coral and more than 100 other pieces of underwater environment were painstakingly re-created in crochet.

The grand opening, from 9 a.m. to noon, will feature a variety of activities for adults and children. Want to dance with an octopus, or a jellyfish, or a pirate? Or perhaps a mermaid? Now’s your chance, so bring a camera.

Sponge-master John (Stevely) with Florida Sea Grant will be there to explain those local-yet-exotic creatures. And you can build an edible coral reef. Face painting? Of course.

There’s adult fare, too, discovering the science of near-shore reefs, coastal planning and engineering. And there will be marine robotics at work, too.

It’s all a free production of Manatee County’s Natural Resources Department, which is responsible for those other 13 reefs.

The Valentine House will host the exhibit though March 17, but it is only open on weekends. It is staffed by volunteers.

Volunteer Director Melissa Cain-Nell says she can open up the facility during the week, if groups want to experience the “crochet reef.” She can be reached at 748-4501, ext. 4605, or by email, at Melissa.nell@mymanatee.org

The Robinson Preserve is on the southern edge of the mouth of the Manatee River, at the western end of 17^th Avenue NW.