10:30 - 11:30am “Flying Flowers” of the Florida Panhandle - Get to know the common butterflies that thrive in the Florida Panhandle. Let Bill Boothe, a local naturalist, writer, wildlife photographer, and president of the North American Butterfly Association, open your eyes to the joy of inviting these “flying flowers” to your back yard. Meet in the Dogwood Pavilion Building, Wakulla Springs State Park.
10:30 - 11:30am Reptile Show - Join Scott Courdin and Jackie Entz of the Center for Wildlife Education, Georgia Southern University, for an exciting show. Be mesmerized as you safely witness what so many fear. Discover first-hand the benefit native species play in our environment and how exotic reptiles threaten the stability of our fragile ecosystems. If you dare, participate in a hands-on reptile encounter! Meet in the Outdoor Amphitheatre by the Picnic Area in Wakulla Springs State Park.
10:30 - 11:30am Scrub Oaks - The traditional music of Scrub Oaks is sure to please. Bring your family together to share some quality time to mark special moments to remember.
11:30am - 12:30pm Birds of Prey/Raptor Show - Scott Courdin and Jackie Entz of the Center for Wildlife Education, Georgia Southern University, bring their expertise to the Park to perform fascinating flight demonstrations of various raptors. Eagles, hawks and owls swoop overhead while Scott and Jackie present predator/prey relations and raptors as indicators of environmental health. There will be considerable audience participation as they offer opportunities to get up close and personal with their feathered ambassadors. Meet in the Outdoor Amphitheatre by the Picnic Area in Wakulla Springs State Park.
11:45am - 12:45pm Coon Bottom Creek - Coon Bottom Creek embraces the friendly sound of Bluegrass. Grab a bite to eat and settle back for some Southern hospitality in front of the Azalea Shelter.
12:45 - 1:00pm Happy 75th Anniversary Florida State Parks!
1:00 - 2:00pm The Hot Pepper Steppers - The Hot Pepper Steppers have been performing Mountain-style Appalachian clogging since their inception in 1988. You may feel inclined to join them in their traditional green grass performance with a few fancy foot steps of your own.
1:15 - 2:15pm Reptile Show - Scott Courdin and Jackie Entz of the Center for Wildlife Education, Georgia Southern University, return for a second show, same as the 10:30 presentation above.
2:00 - 3:00pm The Wakulla Springs Cave System - Woodville Karst Plain Project divers cover the ongoing exploration and research within the watery caves hundreds of feet beneath us. Join project divers on a video excursion into a dangerous and hauntingly beautiful world as they work to explore and protect the longest cave system in the world. Meet in the Dogwood Pavilion Building, Wakulla Springs State Park.
2:15 - 3:15pm Pickin’ and Grinnin’ - Come to the picnic area in front of the Azalea Shelter and feel your heart race to the jubilant bluegrass sounds of Pickin’ and Grinnin’. See if you can resist the urge to tap your toes to this great local sound.
2:30 - 3:30pm Birds of Prey/Raptor Show - Scott Courdin and Jackie Entz of the Center for Wildlife Education, Georgia Southern University, repeat the raptor show. Same as the 11:30 presentation above.
3:00-4:00pm Mysterious Waters, Discovering Connections in the Woodville Karst Plain - Meet the expert, Dr. Todd Kincaid, as he shares our current understanding of the groundwater/surface water flow through the Woodville Karst Plain (our sinkhole and tunnel-riddled limestone bedrock). He will present how groundwater tracing studies are being used to identify connections between surface water runoff, spring discharge, and Apalachee Bay, and how all of these are impacted by groundwater withdrawals and sea-level rise. Water quality and quantity at Wakulla Springs and in the Floridan aquifer affect animal, plant and human life throughout Wakulla County and into Apalachee Bay. Ask questions. Be informed. Meet in the Dogwood Pavilion Building, Wakulla Springs State Park.
3:30 –4:15pm Jonny Lipford - The contemporary Native American Flute of Jonny Lipford soothes the spirit and opens the mind. Enjoy the esoteric melodies revealed in front of the Azalea Shelter.