March 2010 E-Newsletter
Ravine Gardens to Host 14th Annual Azalea Days
~ Budding azaleas prepare to bloom for festival ~
Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 13 and Sunday, March 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka will celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Florida’s state parks with a spectacular show of spring colors and the presentation of Miss Azalea and her Court.
The event will feature ranger-led wagon rides around a 1.8 mile loop of thousands of blooming azaleas. Participants will learn about the history of the park and the role of Ravine Gardens in the economic recovery of the City of Palatka following the Great Depression.
Mother Nature will provide color and beauty with the blooms on the azaleas, dogwoods, magnolias and camellias. Miss Azalea and her Court will be on hand to visit with guests and talk about the history of the Miss Azalea Pageant.
Vendors and crafters will gather around the Court of States. The Palatka Art League will present an archaeological display provided by the Saint Augustine Public Archaeology Regional Center. The sounds of music, by local and non-local entertainers, will echo throughout the ravines.
Admission on Saturday and Sunday is $5 for vehicles, up to 8 people.
Throughout 2010, DEP’s Florida State Parks will celebrate 75 years of recreation and preservation. Florida’s state parks will host special activities and interpretive events from coast to coast, including 25 signature events which highlight individual parks’ histories, as well as the history of the state park system as a whole.
Wakulla Wildlife Festival to Showoff Big Bend Ecosystem
~ Wakulla Springs State Park is Hub for Annual Wildlife Festival ~
Join us Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20 for the Wakulla Wildlife Festival at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. This event continues to bring the experience of the Big Bend’s colorful heritage and exceptional ecosystems to people of varied interests with opportunities to explore diverse habitats, to rejoice in its expressive music and to grow through the discovery of new skills and information.
Take Advantage of Deals at Florida State Parks
~ During the 75th Anniversary, special promotions will help you explore state parks ~
Northeast and Central Go Play Weekday – March
Learn about Florida’s history and culture, camp, hike, paddle or ride with a friend along equestrian trails. If you’d like to stay the night, several featured parks offer camping and cabin rental where you can enjoy campfires and fireplaces. 75¢ entry fee Monday through Thursday at the following Florida State Parks:
Looking Ahead to Commemorative 75th Anniversary Events
~ The year-long celebration and signature events will highlight three quarters of a century of preserving the past while looking to the future. ~
- Friday, April 23, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Burial of the 75th Anniversary Time Capsule at O’Leno State Park, High Springs.
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