Eighth Annual Regional

Charlotte Harbor Nature Festival

Saturday, November 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Free Admission

Charlotte County Sports Park

– SR 776 in Port Charlotte, 2.5 miles west of US 41 –

“Connecting with nature” is the message that will come to life at the Charlotte Harbor Nature Festival. The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program is pleased to sponsor the eighth annual festival – a day to explore, learn and enjoy the natural environment of southwest Florida.

Visitors can participate in activities geared toward all ages, including nature exhibits, local artists, live native animals, musicians, wagon rides and guided walks to the Tippecanoe Regional Park (if conditions permit).

Children won’t want to leave the Discovery Zone, which is packed with games and activities, and – new this year – children can learn about fish and fishing and then receive a free fishing pole!

Guest speakers will cover water issues and native animals. Musicians will perform throughout the day, including Rosie Emery, performing her original high-energy songs about the environment written specifically for children. Mote Marine Laboratory is bringing their mobile exhibit with its touch tanks. Food and beverages can be purchased at the event. Much more will be offered so please visit the website at www.CHNEP.org to learn more!

Festival organizers have again chosen to make this event free so that as many people as possible can enjoy it and – new this year – a free cloth tote bag will be given away (one/car).

The festival is funded through event sponsorship and a raffle that will be held at the festival. The event planning committee invites your business, organization or association to be promoted as a sponsor or exhibitor, joining many others, if their information is about the natural environment of southwest Florida. The festival is organized and planned by a dedicated group of volunteers representing a diverse number of organizations and associations.

A very special thanks to all of the generous sponsors (as of September 1):

Eagle ($2,500+): Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program

Florida Panther ($1,000+): Banks Engineering ❇ Charlotte Sun ❇ College of Life Foundation ❇ Mosaic ❇ Southwest Florida Water Management District ❇ WGCU Public Media

Scrub Jay ($750): Peninsula Property of Cape Haze

Osprey ($500): Barraco and Associates, Inc. ❇ DeLisi Fitzgerald, Inc. ❇ Mote Marine Laboratory ❇ Stormwater Academy ❇ Waste Management ❇ WilsonMiller, Inc.

Sea Turtle ($250): Charlotte County Environmental & Extension Services ❇ Land Solutions ❇

Lemon Bay Conservancy ❇ McKinley, Ittersagen, Gunderson & Berntsson, PA ❇ Peace

River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority ❇ Tents & Events

Dolphin ($100): Charlotte County Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources ❇ Charlotte County Visitor’s Bureau ❇ D.B. Sound System ❇ Friends of the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves, Inc. ❇ Michael P. Haymans ❇ Moore and Waksler, P.L. ❇ Peace River Audubon Society ❇ Turtle Talks ❇ Wal-Mart Murdock Circle