7 Creeks Fest

7 Creeks Fest

Jacksonville, FLorida

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Saturday, March 9, 2024

10AM – 3PM

FEST WELCOME HUB:
Betz-Tiger Point Preserve
13990 Pumpkin Hill Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32226

7 Creeks Fest 2022

Celebrate and Explore the7 Creeks Recreation Area

The 7 Creeks Fest invites you to celebrate and explore the scenic waterways, diverse ecosystems, and winding trails of the 7 Creeks Recreation Area. Spread throughout the connected wilderness parks and preserves surrounded by seven creeks, this family-friendly, fun event raises awareness of these preserved public lands and how we can help protect them.

The fest highlights the area’s recreational opportunities, local efforts to enhance and protect these green spaces, and offers nature-themed activities and exhibits that emphasize education and environmentally-responsible adventures.

Free admission & activitiesCome Early and Spend the Day!Rain or Shine

Choose Your Own Adventure

Check In at the Welcome Hub

Check in at the Fest Welcome Hub to get information, then choose your own adventure! Bring your own recreational equipment, or try ours for free: kayaks, canoes, and bikes (first-come, first-serve).

Seven-Mile 7 Creeks Trail Hike For Long-Distance Hikers Only

Our friends, the North Florida Trailblazers chapter of the Florida Trail Association, are hosting this hike which is for experienced long-distance hikers only. Get more details here.

Entertainment

Enjoy performances by diverse local talent at the Welcome Hub's creek-side stage. Performances last 45 minutes to one hour.

  • 10:30 - Shifty Gears
  • 11:30 - Fiddler Folk Hour
  • 12:30 - Nan Nkama Pan-African Drum and Dance Ensemble
  • 1:30 - Rambler Kane

Raffle

Stop by the Timucuan Parks Foundation exhibitor table for your chance to win one of these six prizes from REI:

  • $100 gift card
  • Camp chair with carry strap
  • Camp blanket
  • Flash 22 day pack
  • 32 oz Green Nalgene water bottle
  • 32 oz Tan Nalgene water bottle

Need not be present to win. No purchase or contribution necessary. Only one entry per individual. Drawing to be held March 11, 2024 at Timucuan Parks Foundation, 9953 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville FL 32226.

Free Shuttle Bus to Other Trailheads Available

A free shuttle bus will be available for travel to these trailheads starting 9:45 AM (following this route):

  • (1) Welcome Hub
  • (3) Kayak Trailhead
  • (4) State Park Trailhead
  • (5) Black Hammock Island Trailhead
  • (6) Horseshoe Creek Trailhead
  • (7) Fitzpatrick Creek Trailhead
  • (1) Welcome Hub
  • (2) Edwards Creek Trailhead

Two shuttle buses will make continuous loops from 9:45 AM to 3:30 PM.

Thank You to Our 2024 Sponsors

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JAXPORT-LOGO
RT - Square Logo - Blue on White
Geosyntec Consultants Logo
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ETM LOGO (PMS) Standard
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COJ City of Jacksonville logo
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REI logo
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Activities

  • Archaeology Hike
  • Bike Rides (Self-guided & Tour)
  • Bingo Scavenger Hunt
  • Birding Walk
  • Camping Clinic
  • Canoeing
  • Dip Netting
  • Exhibitor Area
  • Fishing Clinic for Kids*
  • Food Trucks
  • Geocaching Hikes
  • Hike Entire 7 Creeks Trail
  • History Hikes
  • Kayaking
  • Live Music
  • Nature Hikes
  • Photography Hike
  • Prescribed Fire Equipment Demo
  • Selfie Scavenger Hunt at Bogey Creek
  • Welcome/Orientation
  • Wildflower Walk

*Preregistration is required at the fishing clinic section below. Space is limited.

Bring your own recreational equipment, or try ours for free (first-come, first-serve; supplies are limited):

  • Canoeing - #6 on the map
  • Kayaking - #2 on the map
  • Biking - #7 on the map

Fishing Clinic for Kids

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Online registration for the Junior Ranger Angler fishing clinic on March 9, 2024, is closed due to capacity.

For children ages 6-16. Space is limited.

This program is presented in partnership by Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, Timucuan Parks Foundation, and JaxParks, and made possible by a grant from the National Park Foundation.

Thank you to our 2024 fishing clinic sponsors.

BOGEY CREEK PRESERVE SELFIE-SCAVENGER HUNT

Complete the Bogey Creek Selfie-Scavenger Hunt and earn some North Florida Land Trust swag! Visit Bogey Creek Preserve at 5500 Cedar Point Rd and take a selfie in front of the following items:

  • Interpretive panel
  • Bugtussle Sign
  • Cypress Swamp
  • Big Pine Tree
  • Salt Marsh/Kayak Landing

Then stop at Betz-Tiger Point Preserve at 13990 Pumpkin Hill Rd, find the North Florida Land Trust table at the Welcome Hub for 7 Creeks Fest and show us your selfies to go home with some cool NFLT swag!

NOTE: Bogey Creek Preserve is located before the Welcome Hub and other parks. Turn in here first to grab your selfies and then join the other action!

Trail signs for Bug Tussle Loop and Landing Trail in front of palm bushes

Unique Exhibitors and Engaging Learning Opportunities

Connect with a variety of exhibitors focused on environmental conservation and education, health, outdoor recreation, and other outdoor activities. All exhibitors are located at the Welcome Hub exhibitor area unless otherwise noted.

  • Cosmo Historical Preservation Corporation – Gullah Geechee fishing heritage (table at #2 Edwards Creek Trailhead)
  • Duval Audubon Society
  • First Coast Invasive Working Group
  • Florida Forest Service
  • Florida Native Plant Society, Ixia Chapter
  • Florida State Parks
  • Florida Trail Association, North Florida Trailblazers
  • Friends of JaxParks Geocachers
  • Friends of Talbot Islands State Parks
  • Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens – WILD Program
  • JaxParks
  • Keep Jacksonville Beautiful
  • North Florida Land Trust
  • Northeast Florida Aquatic Preserves
  • Sierra Club Northeast Florida Group
  • St. Johns River Water Management District
  • St. Johns Riverkeeper
  • Timucuan Parks Foundation
  • Timucuan Preserve – National Park Service
  • Traveling Sign Language Camp
  • Tree Hill Nature Center
  • Turtle Survival Alliance – North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group
  • University of North Florida Archaeology Lab
  • Visit Jacksonville

Become a Fest Exhibitor

Is your company or organization focused on nature, science, outdoor recreation, education, conservation, or the environment? We are looking for exhibitors like you to participate in 7 Creeks Fest!

Become a Fest Sponsor

The 7 Creeks Fest is a free community event and the generous support of sponsors will help us present it to the community. To learn about sponsorship levels and benefits, download the packet.

Become a Fest Volunteer

We need volunteers to make 7 Creeks Fest a success. We are looking for dedicated volunteers to help with table set-up and break down, parking assistance, and much more. Volunteers must be 18 years or older.

2023 Photo Gallery

Thank you for Celebrating and Exploring the7 Creeks Recreation AreaWith Us and Our Park Partners

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Thank You to Our Community Partners

  • Adventure Kayak Florida
  • Cosmo Historical Preservation Corporation
  • Duval Audubon Society
  • Florida Native Plant Society, Ixia Chapter
  • Florida Trail Association, North Florida Trailblazers
  • Kayak Amelia
  • Sierra Club Northeast Florida Group
  • Timucuan Parks Foundation Young Professionals
  • Will Dickey Photography

Park and Trail Etiquette

To protect wildlife and their habitat (and fellow visitors), please follow these rules of the outdoors:

  • Dogs must be on 6-foot leash.
  • Dispose of bagged dog waste in trash receptacles.
  • Admire plants and wildlife from afar, keep a safe distance.
  • Leave No Trace / Pack in & Pack Out – take your litter with you when you leave the trails.
  • Bike riders yield to hikers. All yield to horses.
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Things to Bring

It’s a good idea to bring these with you because the parks are remote and you will only find nature there:

  • Refillable water bottle (Water stations for refilling your water bottle will be available.)
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent spray
  • Camp chair or picnic blanket
  • Snacks or a picnic*

*Food trucks provide opportunities to purchase food but may have long lines.

7 Creeks Fest is modeled on Marsh Fest which originated at Dutton Island Preserve in Atlantic Beach, a biennial event that became so popular that it outgrew little Dutton Island. The park agencies and nonprofits have partnered to revive the celebration of our saltwater marshes and other ecosystems by hosting 7 Creeks Fest in the more expansive 7 Creeks Recreation Area.

7 Creeks Fest is Presented in Partnership

Discover the 7 Creeks Recreation Area

The 7 Creeks Recreation Area offers visitors 30+ miles of trails that could occupy days of hiking, biking, horseback riding and exploring diverse ecosystems, making each mile a new adventure. This collection of parks and preserves is home to thousands of acres of unspoiled lands surrounded by expansive saltmarsh of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve that offers an extensive network of tidal creeks for kayakers, boaters, paddleboarders and fishermen.

7 Creeks | 7 Parks and Preserves | 30+ Miles of Trails on 5,600 Connected Acres

7 Creeks Recreation Area illustrated map