26th Annual
Florida Manatee Festival - January 19 & 20 (2013)
Downtown Crystal River celebrates its most cherished
symbol, the Florida Manatee.
Date: January 19 & 20 (Saturday & Sunday),
2013
Time: Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM and Sunday 9:00AM - 4:00PM.
Cost: Donation of $3.00 per person, children 12 and under FREE. 
The two-day event will feature many
interests including a fine arts show with over 50 exhibitors and also 150 vendors will be
on hand. Free shuttle service will be available for parking at the Crystal River Mall.
Artwork, photography, sculptures, crafts and
jewelry
are among some of the items on display and for sale. A wide variety of
wonderful food will be available at the festival's food court.
Live entertainment will be provided
throughout the two-day event. The annual Jimmy Buffet sound-alike contest will take place
on Saturday and has been a popular show in the past. Entertainment is included with
admission. Three Sisters Springs will hold an Open House on Saturday, January 19th from 9am to 4pm.
This
is an excellent opportunity to view the manatees in the wild from the
newly built boardwalk that surrounds Three Sisters Springs. There will
be a free shuttle service running from Kings Bay Plaza to the springs and
back during the Open House.
Boat tours
will offer festival visitors the perfect opportunity to view manatees
in their natural environment. Enjoy a boat ride on the beautiful waters
of Kings Bay, the place hundreds of manatees call home during the
winter months. Boat tours will require an additional nominal fee.
A beer and wine garden and will host a
live band as well as big screen televisions so you are sure to catch the weekend football
games. Wine will also be provided by a local winery.
Childrens activites will be provided on
the grounds of the Creative Playground, behind the Crystal River City Hall and is hosted
this year by Childhood Development Services. Great games, activities and education
information anxiously await to keep your children (accompanied by an adult) entertained.
There will aslo be a rock climbing wall, bounce house, pony rides and much more.
Posters of the wonderful manatee, made by
local students, will be on display in the Manatee Education area. Continuous movies will
also be shown in the Manatee Education area. There will be manatee education information
at manatee education booths designed to enhance the awareness of the endangered manatees.
Bring the entire family out for an opportunity to take a Manatee Boat Tour on the
beautiful Kings Bay! You will get to experience one of our county's beautiful waterways
viewing the endangered manatee in its natural environment and learn some interesting facts
about these beautiful creatures.
Volunteers and community sponsorship are needed.
We are also looking to add members to our committee. Please call Suzanne to find out how
you can become a partner in this great event. For more information, call the Citrus County
Chamber of Commerce at (352) 795-3149
2013 Manatee Festival Application
Manatee Facts
Manatee
Videos and Photos
The Pine Lodge is located 15 minutes north of Crystal River. Call 352-447-7463
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