Marion County Springs Festival

Preserving Marion County Springs through Awareness and Stewardship


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The Marion County Springs Festival Steering Committee meets the fourth Thursday of every month at the Hilton Ocala from January through September to plan the event.  If you are interested in joining the committee please email us at springsfest@cox.net
AGENDA SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
SEVENTH ANNUAL MARION COUNTY SPRINGS FESTIVAL AGENDA

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2008 Legislative/Media Preview Reception & Dinner, Silver Springs Attraction (by invitation only)
PANELISTS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE MEDIA EVENT AND SPEAKERS FOR
THE FESTIVAL:
~ Fay Baird, Senior Hydrologist, Pandion Systems, Inc., Speaker - Sept. 20
~ Connie Bersok, Administrator, Florida Springs Initiative, Panelist - Sept. 19 and Speaker - Sept. 20
~ Debbie Boyd, Florida House of Representatives, Panelist - Sept. 19
~ Jimmy Brooks, Community Affairs, Southwest Florida Water Management District, Panelist - Sept. 19
~ Victoria Craw, Environmental Section Manager, Southwest Florida Water Management District, Panelist - Sept. 19
~ Richard Deadman, Planner, Florida Department of Community Affairs
~ Robert Knight, Ph.D., Environmental Scientist, Wetland Solutions, Panelist/Speaker -Sept. 19 & 20
~ Sandra Friend, Author and Expert Naturalist, Speaker, Sept. 20 and Hike leader, Sept. 21
~ Harley Means, P.G., Geologist, Florida Geological Survey, Speaker, Sept. 20
~ Tom Scott, Assistant State Geologist, Florida Geological Survey, Panelist/Speaker, Sept. 19 & 20
~ Wes Skiles, Underwater Film Producer, Karst Productions, Keynote Speaker - Sept. 19

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2007 Marion County Springs Festival at Silver River State Park. Admission to the park that day only is $1 per person, children five and under are admitted free.

7:30 A.M. Exhibitor, vendor and volunteer registration and set up.

10 A.M. Opening ceremony. Exhibits and vendors open to the public.

10 A.M.-4 P.M.

Live entertainment                                Doorprize giveaways

SpringsSong contest                             Silent Auction

Photography Contest                             Art Show

Arts and Crafts Show                             Food vendors

Interactive exhibits                                Expert speakers

Story telling                                           Cracker Village

Hiking                                                     Horse drawn trolley

Smokey Bear                                          Swampy the Gator

Awareness Adventures, Inc. will be hosting pontoon boat rides on the beautiful Silver River.  Space is limited, so sign up early!

Speakers itinerary:

10:10 a.m.  Tom Scott and Harley Means, Florida Geological Survey

11 a.m.       Dr. Bob Knight, Wetland Solutions, Inc.

12 p.m.        Fay Baird, Pandion Systems, Inc.

1   p.m.        Connie Bersok, Florida Springs Initiative

2   p.m.        Fay Baird, Pandion Systems, Inc.

3   p.m.        Sandra Friend, Genuine Florida

Campsites and cabins available for rental through Silver River State Park, and the USDA Forest Service. Hotel accommodations available through the Hilton Ocala. To access our room block with special pricing, click on the following link:  
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/OCFOHHF-MCSF-20080919/index.jhtml

EXHIBITORS:
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Florida Trail Association
Florida Yards & Neighborhoods
Friends of Rainbow Springs
Friends of Silver River State Park
Marion County Aquaholics Paddlers Group
Marion County Storm Water
Marion County Master Gardeners
Marion County Parks and Recreation
Marion County Springs Festival
Marion County WAV Program
Mister Landscaper
Ocala National Forest USDA Forest Service
Rainbow Springs Aquatic Preserve
Southwest Florida Water Management District
University of Florida Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Science
  
VENDORS:

Marion County Spring Festival - tee shirts - food concession- silent auction- food concession

Ocala/Silver Springs Rotary Club (BBQ)

The Nature Nook (books)

Lucy Tobias author 50 Great Walks with Lucy

Fannell Goofey's Italian Ice

Laurie Morgan (ice cream, pretzels and cotton candy)

Taylor Garden Nursery

4:30 P.M. Exhibits/vendors breakdown

8 P.M. Park closes

Times will be announced.  This year's walks will include:

The Ocala National Forest

The Indian Lake State Forest

The Florida Trail

Cross Florida Greenway

Also, look for coupons on our site for free admission to:

Silver Glen Spring in the Ocala National Forest

Marion County Parks; KP Hole, Carney Island, Horse Shoe Lake and Ray Wayside parks.

We also have a coupon  on line for a discounted admission, up to six people per coupon, for $15 each person to Silver Springs Nature's Theme Park.

 http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/recreation/index_oca.shtml#hike

The Marion County Springs Festival committee encourages you to visit the Marion County Spring or Park of your choice. LOOK FOR VALUABLE COUPONS ON THIS WEB SITE.

AGENDA SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2008

Guided hiking tours by the Florida Trail Association and Forest Service