SEBASTIAN — Under clear blue skies and a canopy of oaks, thousands from around Indian River County gathered at Sebastian’s Riverview Park to celebrate the importance of the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge and the area’s natural bounty during the 21st annual wildlife festival.
Tamara Hoelke, of Sebastian, brought her out-of-town daughter, Celia Wiethorn, her son-in-law Clark, and her 15-month-old granddaughter, Chloe, to the festival – a first for all of them.
“I’m becoming more adventurous,” Hoelke said, explaining that she had heard about the festival and decided now would be the time to go, with her family visiting.
They stopped at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s tent, where there was a touch-tank set up.
Celia – the most adventurous of the group – took a moment and touched a horseshoe crab.
“It’s smooth,” she said, and wet and slimy.
Chloe wasn’t so brave and clung to her dad’s shoulder. Her favorite part had been seeing the birds of prey. She loves owls, according to her mom.
“We’re having a good time,” Celia said.
More than 50 vendors offering a range of items from brochures and pamphlets about their nature-oriented organization to nature-themed artwork and jewelry, to eco-friendly goods and services were stationed around the park. Often, traffic slowed to a crawl along the circular sidewalk as festival-goers ogled the wares.
One staple of the festival is President Theodore Roosevelt, who established the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge – the first in the nation. Each year, a re-enactor comes to the event dressed as the president, regaling a rapt audience with his tale.
“He is such a great personality for the crowd,” festival co-chair Josie Calle said. “He never gets out of character the whole day.”
“I don’t think this event would be such a hit” if not for the Roosevelt actor, she added.
For Calle, the festival isn’t just a fun day at the park, it’s an opportunity to reach out to the public, to educate them and to highlight the environmental gems not far from most in Indian River County.
Eight-year-old Cheyenne Lepley, with her dad, Nathan, in tow, stopped at touch tank housing hermit crabs and shrimp.
“It tickles,” she said of the hermit crab’s legs in the palm of her hand.
So far, that was the highlight of the festival – though Cheyenne quickly noted they had only just gotten to the festival.
Nathan Lepley said he and the family have been coming to the festival every year for five years, taking in the wildlife and activities. As a volunteer with the Parks Service, he said it’s great to see so many people of various ages showing such enthusiasm for nature.
Festival co-chair Steve Massey said the weather couldn’t have been better for the day.
“It’s beautiful,” he said, adding that he was glad they were able to put on an event to bring out the children.
“Wildlife shows are a big draw,” he said. “We work very hard to keep to the theme.”