Friends of Talbot Islands State Parks with support from Florida State Parks, the National Park Service and Timucuan Parks Foundation is hosting the 4th annual Talbot Tidewater Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ribault Club on Ft. George Island Cultural State Park at 11241 Ft. George Rd. Everyone is invited to the event which will be filled with activities and fun for all ages. The Talbot Tidewater Celebration takes place each year on National Public Lands Day created to raise awareness of natural spaces like Talbot Island State Parks and Timucuan Preserve.
There are many games, exhibits and educational opportunities planned for the day including the Junior Ranger Angler Fishing Clinic. The fishing clinic is open to kids ages 6 to 17 who will learn casting, knot tying and ethical angling as well as local Gullah Geechee and Timucua fishing heritage. The first 75 registered kids who complete the clinic will receive a free fishing pole. Registration is required and can be done by emailing [email protected].
Friends of Talbot Islands State Parks have lots of other events planned for the day including a kids’ fun run, guided hikes, guided canoe rides, a shark tooth collection exhibit, local and state conservation exhibitors, a Talbot History exhibit, and live music. Florida Fish and Wildlife Marine Rescue will also be doing mock manatee and dolphin rescues. Visitors can bring their own picnic lunch or purchase food at the event. In addition, there is a chance to win some great prizes like birding tours, kayak excursions, wildlife photography lessons, Jumbo Shrimp tickets and more.
More information about the Talbot Tidewater Celebration and National Public Land Day event can be found at talbotislands.com, on the Friends of Talbot Islands State Parks Facebook page, or by contacting [email protected].
About Friends of Talbot Islands State Parks
The Friends of Talbot Islands State Parks is a nonprofit membership organization that serves as the community service organization for Amelia Island State Park, Big and Little Talbot Islands State Parks, Fort George Cultural State Park, Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park, Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park, and George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park. Created in 1997, In recent years the Friends have provided funding for a variety of equipment and projects that might not otherwise be possible, such as an ATV and pickup truck, interpretive signs and kiosks, distribution of riptide educational brochures and lifesaving equipment, support for the turtle and shorebird nesting programs, training of park staff, and other projects that enhance park operations. Funds are generated through memberships, firewood/ice/t-shirt/misc. product sales at Little Talbot Island SP, generous donations, and special events like the Talbot Tidewater Celebration. For more information, visit www.talbotislands.com or follow @friendsoftalbot.