[Floridastateparks] Florida State Parks Newsletter - January 2012

Tue Jan 3 14:55:34 EST 2012

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January 3, 2012 – Follow us on Twitter and Facebook @FLStateParks

http://www.floridastateparks.org/resources/enewsletter.cfm

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Living historians preparing to reenact the battle at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park. Photo by Rodney Todt.

Ready, Aim, Fire – Reenactment at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
~Living historians portray soldiers, Seminoles and civilians~

The readying of field equipment and fitting of uniforms are underway in preparation for the 32nd Annual Reenactment at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park. The event marks the famous battle between Major Francis Dade and his men against the Seminole Indians. Each year, following the December 28th tragedy, hundreds of men, women and children come together to re-create a full-scale battle to commemorate the historic event. The upcoming reenactment is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 7 and Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012.

It began in 1835, when Seminole warriors ambushed Major Dade and 108 of his soldiers on the road from Fort King (Ocala) to Fort Brooke (Tampa). Only three soldiers survived the ambush and only one survived to tell the story of the battle that started the Second Seminole War under the oaks at historic Fort Dade in Bushnell.

If you go, parking is $2 per vehicle on an adjacent property with a free shuttle to the event area. The event is $5 per person and children under 6 are free.

Upcoming reenactments:

·         Thursday, Feb. 9-Sunday, Feb. 12 - Fort Foster Rendezvous at Hillsborough River State Park north of Tampa.

·         Friday, Feb. 10-Sunday, Feb. 12 - Civil War Heritage Days at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in Key West.

·         Saturday, Feb. 11 - Flight to Freedom at Fort Mose Historic State Park in St. Augustine.

·         Friday, Feb. 17-Sunday, Feb. 19 - Olustee Battle Reenactment at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park.

·         Saturday, March 3-Sunday, March 4 - The Battle of Natural Bridge at Natural Bridge Historic State Park south of Tallahassee.

·         Saturday, March 24-Sunday, March 25 - 5th Fort Chokonikla Encampment at Paynes Creek Historic State Park in Bowling Green.

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Manatees photographed by Rick Jones at Blue Spring State Park.

Seeing Manatees in Florida’s State Parks
~Watching and learning about the gentle giants leads to their protection~

Although 70 degree waters might feel a bit chilly to humans, it’s warm for manatees.

Through March, manatees tend to seek warmer water temperatures and Florida’s springs are one of their favorite destinations. With several springs located within state parks, visitors can easily view the manatees, which sometimes congregate by the dozens, in a number of locations. Some of the most popular spring gathering locations among the wintering manatees include those found at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in Homosassa, Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park south of Tallahassee, Fanning Springs State Park in Fanning Springs and St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park in Fellsmere.

For a closer look, one of these events might be of interest.

·         Saturday, Jan. 14 – Manatee Awareness program at Manatee Springs State Park in Chiefland. With the cooler weather, the featured guest will be the manatee, along with partners in manatee protection awareness, education and enforcement. Various agencies will set up displays so visitors can enjoy learning about the gentle giants and how to protect them. Manatee Spring, the head spring at Manatee Springs State Park, emits mineral-rich water at a constant 72 degrees which provides a warm water haven for the manatee when the rivers temperatures decrease below 68 degrees. $6 per vehicle, up to eight people.

·         Saturday, Jan. 28 – Manatee Festival at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City. Bring the whole family and enjoy a day of arts, crafts, dancing, shows, games, food, face painting and more. Main activities are in Valentine Park with a shuttle bus available to enter Blue Spring State Park. Inside Blue Spring view manatees, learn about local environmental clubs, observe 1800s artisans and more. Proceeds from this fundraising event go to support Friends of Blue Spring State Park.

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Lu the hippo enjoys his birthday cake at last year’s party. Photo by William Garvin.

Lu’s 52nd Birthday
~Florida’s honorary citizen hippo get a special party~

Who is Lu? He’s the resident hippopotamus at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. His party will be held Thursday, Jan. 26. He’ll have two parties. One at 10 a.m. and another at 12:30 p.m. Lu will be presented with his own birthday cake specially prepared by the park’s Wildlife Care Department. Park visitors, staff and students from Homosassa Elementary School will sing “Happy Birthday” to Florida’s only honorary citizen hippo.

More Fun Activities in January and February 2012

·         Friday, Jan. 13 – Right Whale Talk with Frank Gromling at Gamble Rodgers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach.

·         Saturday, Jan. 14 – 10th Annual Tour de Felasco (50-mile off-road bicycle tour) at San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park in Alachua.

·         Friday, Jan. 20 – Reenactment of the History of the Overseas Railroad at Bahia Honda State Park in Big Pine Key.

·         Saturday, Jan. 21 – 5th Annual Pioneer Day at Savannas Preserve State Park in Port St. Lucie

·         Saturday, Feb. 4 – Florida Scrub-Jay Festival at Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey.

·         Saturday, Feb. 11 – Jammin’ in the Hammock Bluegrass Festival at Collier-Seminole State Park in Naples.

·         Friday, Feb. 24 & Saturday, Feb. 25 – Stone Age and Primitive Arts Festival at Ochlockonee River State Park in Sopchoppy.

·         Saturday, Feb. 25 – Washington’s Birthday Regatta at The Barnacle Historic State Park in Coconut Grove.

Special Events around Florida
·         Northwest Florida<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events-northwest.cfm>
·         Northeast Florida<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events-northeast.cfm>
·         Central Florida<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events-central.cfm>
·         Southwest Florida<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events-southwest.cfm>
·         Southeast Florida<http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/events-southeast.cfm>

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