What began as a welcome back songbird festival has grown into a three-day celebration of Wakulla County’s natural environment and rich heritage.  The annual Wakulla Wildlife Festival will be held April 2-4, 2009.  Although many premium guided tours visit significant natural and cultural sites throughout the area, Wakulla Springs State Park remains the hub of the festival.

In addition to premium guided tours on Thursday through Saturday, April 2-4, the Wakulla Wildlife Festival is again sponsoring Art on the Terrace at Wakulla Springs Lodge, Friday from 6:30 pm -9:30 pm and Saturday from 9:00am – 3:00pm.  The hard-working folks of a not-so-distant past will appear in a new segment entitled Living History Demonstrations on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

These activities are free with park admission, as are seven shows and programs at Wakulla Springs State Park on Saturday between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm.  Among these is a presentation regarding common butterflies that thrive in the Florida Panhandle, a discussion about pitcher plants, and a cave diver’s view of the largest submerged cave system in the United States.

Musicians celebrating the natural environment include Sammy Tedder’s live environmental jazz performance during the Art on the Terrace and silent auction on Friday evening, April 3rd.  And for festival goers who will mingle on the green outside the bathhouse at Wakulla Springs State Park;  Scrub Oaks, Coon Bottom Creek and 'Pickin' & Grinnin' are bluegrass bands who will perform between 10:00 am. and 3:00pm. on Saturday, April 4th.  The fancy clogging footwork of the Red Hot Pepper Steppers will open the festival's musical venue on Saturday. 

Participants are urged to pre-register by March 27 for the popular premium guided tours.  Information is available at www.WakullaWildlifeFestival.org or by calling Della Parker-Hanson, the festival coordinator at (850)926-4293...