INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — To kick off the holiday season, the Environmental Learning Center is holding extended hours and lots of activities for ELC members and visitors. Members will receive a 20 percent discount in ELC’s gift shop, The Nature Nook, along with free gift wrapping and a drawing for a free gift.
Visitors may take advantage of free gifts with purchases over $100 and $200, holiday refreshments, book signings, a visit with Santa in the gardens, and a wine tasting.
The ELC is located at 255 Live Oak Drive, north of Vero Beach, off CR 510 between US1 and A-1-A at the western end of the Wabasso bridge.
The weekend festivities kick off with book signings by Rodney Smith, author of Tales from Florida’s Greatest Lagoon on Friday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to Noon.
ELC’s Entry Pavilion and gift shop will remain open the rest of the day until 5 p.m.
On Saturday, Dec. 3, Santa arrives in Imagination Station, an outdoor play area where kids are free to play checkers, paddle a stationary canoe, use a rain barrel to water plants, and climb trees.
Santa arrives at 10 a.m. and plans to stay until 2 p.m. for free photos.
From Noon to 2 p.m., Leslie McGuirk, author of “If Rocks Could Sing,” will sign her book.
The festivities continue on Sunday, Dec. 4, with a book signing by Rick Kelly and Camille Yates, authors of “Treasured Waters.” The books being signed during the festivities will be available for purchase in ELC’s gift shop. And Vero Beach Winery will host a free wine tasting from 2 to 5 p.m. for adults.
ELC’s admission fee is $5 per person with children 12 and under free and ELC members free. The first Saturday of every month, in this case Dec. 3, there is no admission; everyone is free on the first Saturday.
To learn more about the weekend activities, visit www.DiscoverELC.org or call Camille Yates, Development Director, at (772) 589-5050.
ELC’s 64-acre campus includes aquariums, touchable exhibits, native plant gardens, picnic facilities, gift shop, and visitor center. A list of its many field excursions, EcoVentures, including green living workshops, canoe and kayak excursions, and boating adventures can be found at www.DiscoverELC.org.
