Orlando Wetlands Festival

Come and enjoy the Orlando Wetlands Festival on Saturday, February 15, 2014, from 9am-3pm at Fort Christmas Park.  The Orlando Wetlands Festival is an opportunity to celebrate the City of Orlando’s Wetlands Park, the City’s 1,650 acre wetland oasis. The event is sponsored by: City of Orlando, Atkins, Orange Audubon Society, and Orange County Parks & Recreation.

On February 15, 2014, come and experience this unique wetland treatment system with the entire family.  Event co-sponsor, Orange Audubon Society, will lead guided bird-watching excursions.  The Florida Native Plant Society will lead native plant identification hikes; while, the Florida Trail Association will be providing wilderness hikes. Guided photo hikes will also be available and led by nature and wildlife photographers.

Guided bus tours will travel along the wetland berms, giving riders a chance to experience firsthand, the City’s incredible water reclamation project.  Hay rides will also tour the wetlands.

In addition to the guided tours, there will be bird-banding and mist-netting demonstrations as well as live folk music.  This year, renowned comedian and magician Brian Staron will be performing.  Featured in the wildlife shows, many different live animals will be present such as alligators, snakes, bald eagles, and many others.  Also, the City’s Families, Parks & Recreation Department will be giving away free backyard trees in celebration of Arbor Day. Better Homes & Gardens radio talk show host, Tom Maccubbin, will be on hand to answer your horticulture questions.

There will be interactive children’s activities (like Out-On-A-Limb kids tree climbing), a bounce house and much more!  So bring the whole family and invite your friends to this fun, free educational festival.  Bring your cameras, and prepare for an adventure in the wilderness.  Please leave your pets at home; there are wild animals.  Food will be available for purchase.  Free admission and free door prizes!  For more information: call Orlando Wetlands Park 407.568.1706.

Event Website:  http://www.cityoforlando.net/public_works/wetlands/festival/index.htm

The Friends of the Orlando Wetlands have a website which provides updated information on activities at the park http://www.orlandowetlands.org and are also on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoWetlands.

Directions to Fort Christmas Park:
From Orlando, take S.R. 50 East to Christmas, Florida. Turn left onto C.R. 420 (Ft. Christmas Rd.), continue north 1.8 miles. Fort Christmas Park will be on your left. Free parking will be located on your right across from the Park.  The address is 1300 North Fort Christmas Road, Christmas, FL 32709.