INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River County Historical Society will bring Teddy Roosevelt, the “Rough Rider President” to life on March 13, 2015, at Sebastian High School Auditorium.
“I thus declare it!” With those words and his signature on an Executive Order, President Theodore Roosevelt created Pelican Island, the first Federal Bird Sanctuary, nearby Sebastian, on March 14, 1903.
Almost to the date, 111 years later, Theodore Roosevelt will be brought to life by actor and historian Joe Wiegand in “An Evening with Teddy Roosevelt,” on the auditorium stage of Sebastian River (SRHS) High School, 9001 90th Ave (CR 510) in Sebastian.
The Friday night, March 13, show is sponsored by the Indian River County Historical Society. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are available in advance for $10 for adults and $8 for students 18 years of age and younger. Reserved seating is available for an additional $3. Tickets will be available at the door for $15 each.
For a pre-show “Dinner with Teddy” at Sharky’s Café on the SRHS campus at 5:15 p.m. Friday night, tickets are $35. Some of Roosevelt’s favorite foods will be served and each dinner ticket includes a special reserved seat at the show. A silent auction will be held before the show, concluding during the show’s intermission. Proceeds will be used to fund the programs of the Indian River County Historical Society.
Tickets and more information are available from the Historical Society at 2336 14th Ave. in Vero Beach by calling (772) 778-3435 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, or on the group’s website at www.irchistorical.org, or by e-mailing indianriverhisto@ bellsouth.net.
Wiegand has performed in all 50 states and was featured at the White House during the celebration of Theodore Roosevelt’s 150th birthday. He was also the model for the new statue of Theodore Roosevelt at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, was featured in the History Channel series, The Men Who Built America, and has appeared every year since 2008 at the Pelican Island Wildlife Festival, which begins 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, at Sebastian’s Riverview Park, the day following the show at SRHS.
“I want to thank the Indian River County Historical Society for the opportunity to bring the great conservation president to life on stage in Sebastian,” said Wiegand from his home nearby San Diego, Calif. “In 1898, 39-year-old Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt camped with his Rough Riders in the mosquito laden pine and sands of Tampa. One of his volunteers was Frank Vans Agnew, who later married Olivia Fell, daughter of E. Nelson and Anne Palmer Fell, founders of Fellsmere. Long after his presidency, TR’s last hunting adventure was chasing and harpooning the manta ray off the coast of Captiva. Florida is an important part of Roosevelt’s legacy, and I’m looking forward to a bully good time in Sebastian,” Wiegand said.
Wiegand’s many fans in the region know his performance is funny, inspirational, and great family entertainment. More information on Joe Wiegand and his Teddy Roosevelt Tour can be found at www.teddyrooseveltshow.com.
Roosevelt will make his way to the Pelican Island Wildlife Festival the following day March 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the RiverView Park in Sebastian. The festival is free for all to attend. For more information on the Wildlife Festival see www.firstrefuge.org/events/wildlifefestival.
There will be feather wars, wildlife viewing, environmental games to play, pontoon rides to the island, bird tours, photo contest, great food, and much more.