22nd Annual Florida Manatee
Festival (January 2009)
Downtown Crystal River celebrates its most cherished
symbol, the Florida Manatee.
January 10 & 11 (Saturday & Sunday), 2009
Time: Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM and Sunday 9:00AM - 4:00PM.
Cost: Donation of $2.00 per person, children 12 and under FREE.
The two-day event will feature many interests including a
Fine Arts Show with over 60 exhibitors from around the country.
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.
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 are about $7 per person. Also near the boat docks will be an extended
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.
Another popular activity will be the Kayak Tours, launched
at Hunter Springs Park, this is an exciting opportunity to tour the beautiful waters of
Kings Bay and discover the wildlife that the area is known for.
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 which is now located down by the Manatee Boat Tours. 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 352-726-2801
Manatee Facts
Manatee Videos and Photos
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