Over 10,000 people attended the twelfth anniversary of Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s (LMC) largest annual event, TurtleFest, which focused on discovering our world ocean and taught guests practical ways to practice sea turtle and ocean conservation. TurtleFest 2015: Discovering Our World Ocean was held on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at Loggerhead Marinelife Center and the surrounding Loggerhead Park in Juno Beach. “TurtleFest continues to thrill our guests and is one of the most well-attended, free events in North Palm Beach County,” said Jack Lighton, LMC President & CEO. “We are very proud of the ocean and sea turtle conservation work we do each and every day at LMC. TurtleFest highlights our hospital and says thank you to the community for their unwavering support of our mission,” he added.
“TurtleFest continues to thrill our guests and is one of the most well-attended, free events in North Palm Beach County,” said Jack Lighton, LMC President & CEO. “We are very proud of the ocean and sea turtle conservation work we do each and every day at LMC. TurtleFest highlights our hospital and says thank you to the community for their unwavering support of our mission,” he added.
For the first year, TurtleFest sold out Vendor Row, providing guests beautiful art to gaze at, various booths to shop at and wonderful organizations to speak with. New to the festival was the World Ocean Pavilion, which featured educational and fun activities focused on water conservation. The KOOL Kids Zone was also new this year and catered to the littlest “hatchlings” (children 5 and under), with various craft activities, story times and gymnastics. In addition, the festival featured amazing live music, games, a rock-climbing wall, gymnastics and up close interactions with threatened and endangered sea turtles
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Main stage entertainment consisted of various musical and educational presentations. The musical talents of 2015 American Idol contestants, Emily Brooke and Hector Montenegro, Across The Universe (Beatles Tribute Band), The Resolvers, Jimmy Stowe and The Stowaways (Jimmy Buffet Tribute), and The Pine School’s “Knights of Steel,” took center stage. In addition to the music, Treasure Coast Wildlife entertained the crowd with various reptiles, Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue presented on ocean safety and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission brought out their favorite canine officer for the day.
Free admission to TurtleFest 2015: Discovering Our World Ocean was courtesy of sponsors Florida Power & Light, Landshark Lager, PNC Bank, PGA National Resort & Spa, The Gardens Mall, Tire Kingdom and Waste Management. Media sponsors were Florida Weekly and KOOL 105.5. Community partners included: Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, Jersey Mike’s Subs – Abacoa, Jupiter Medical Center, Jurassic Parts, Lighthouse ArtCenter, Loggerhead Marina, Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, On The Mark Landscaping, Palm Beach County, Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Tito’s Vodka, The Benjamin School, The Gymnastics Revolution and Town of Juno Beach.