Vero Beach, Florida-The Environmental Learning Center is hosting its signature LagoonFest Saturday, April 1st on the campus from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. LagoonFest environmental partner non-profits and organizations will offer interactive and fun environmental and nature learning activities. There is no admission fee for LagoonFest this year, access to the campus is free all day. Canoe Quick Trips are $5 and 45-minute Pontoon Boat Rides are available for $15. Time slot reservations can be made on-site the day of the event. Eco-friendly exhibitors and vendors will be set up on the grass lawn area in front of the Thomas R. Schidel Education and Event Pavilion. LagoonFest is a day of activities in all areas of the ELC’s campus.
LagoonFest guests can experience the Touch Tank in the Discovery Station. Storytelling by local children’s authors; Margaret Livermore, Diane Morgan and Camy De Mario are on the schedule. The ELC will have environmentally friendly crafts for all ages. Pond dip netting is available for everyone who wants to get their feet wet and explore life in the Indian River Lagoon. Joe-Rassic Park Wildlife Refuge will be onsite at Mardi’s Hut with a reptile demonstration. Treasure Coast Percussion will offer two Drum Circles in Centerfield. Dr. Katie Nall Has a Qigong demonstration. Riverside Children’s Theatre is performing highlights from their production of Suessical. Swingsation’s Studio and Entertainment will provide music and there will be food and beverages available all day long.
For vendor applications or a sponsor package, please call the Environmental Learning Center at 772 589-5050.
LagoonFest 2023 Schedule of Events
10:00 AM-3:00 PM Vendors and Activities -The Oval
10:00 AM-12:00 PM Touch Tank is open in Discovery Station
10:30 AM-2:30 PM Crafts-Under the Discovery Station
10:30 AM-1:30 PM Storytime and Crafts with Author Camy De Mario-Tidal Gallery
10:30 AM-1:30 PM Reptile Demonstration with Joe-Rassic Park-Mardi’s Hut
10:30 AM-2:30 PM Pond Dip Netting-Pond Area
10:30 AM-2:30 PM Canoe Quick Trips-Canoe Dock-Purchase Tickets at the Oval
10:15 AM-2:45 PM Pontoon Quick Trips-Pontoon Dock-Purchase Tickets at the Oval
10:00 AM-12:00 PM Storytime-Author Margaret Livermore-Manatees-Lagoon Room
11:30 AM-12:00 PM Drum Circle with Treasure Coast Percussion-Centerfield
12:30 PM-1:00 PM Drum Circle with Treasure Coast Percussion-Centerfield
12:30 PM-2:30 PM Storytime-Author Diane Morgan-Animals of the Indian River –Lagoon Room
1:00 PM-3:00 PM Touch Tank is open in the Discovery Station
2:00 PM-2:15 PM Qigong Demo with Katie Nall
2:00 PM-2:30 PM Riverside Children’s Theatre Suessical Performance
For more information, call 772 589 5050 or email info@DiscoverELC.org
The Environmental Learning Center is a 64-acre island nature park surrounded by the Indian River Lagoon. The ELC is open seven days a week and located at the western foot of the Wabasso Bridge in Indian River County. The nonprofit nature center is a destination for water activities, walking trails, and wellness programs. With a mission to educate, inspire and empower all people to be active stewards of the environment and their own well-being, the ELC is committed to sharing the importance of protecting and restoring our natural resources.
2023 LagoonFest Vendors as of 3/16/23
Beach Trash Art
Camy De Mario-Author and Illustrator
Coastal Connections, Inc.
FAU Harbor Branch
Friends of the Spoil Islands
Indian River County Stormwater
Indian River Mosquito Control District
Indian River Neighborhood Association
Joe-Rassic Park Wildlife Refuge
Keep Indian River Beautiful
Kona Ice South Palm Bay/Indian River County
Lagoona Lands-Author Margaret Livermore
Let’s Be A Good Neighbor to the Lagoon
Dr. Katie Nall-Qigong Instructor
Diane Morgan-Author
Ocean Research and Conservation Association, Inc.
Ocean Strings Studio/KinderMusik
Riverside Children’s Theatre
Sebastian Inlet State Park
St. Johns River Water Management District
Swingsation’s Studio and Entertainment
Treasure Coast Girls Coalition
Temple Beth Shalom
The Willow School
Tidal Tees Apparel
Treasure Coast Percussion
United States Fish and Wildlife Service