Visitors can experience Florida’s freshwater springs through a variety of outdoor activities, musical entertainment and guest speakers during the 8th Annual Marion County Springs Festival, Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Silver River State Park.
Experts will speak about Florida’s springs and springs protection, as well as Marion County’s irrigation and fertilizer ordinances and Florida-friendly landscaping.
In addition to the guest speakers, the festival will have dozens of interactive booths. The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s booth will feature springs protection and water conservation information.
The festival will also offer a variety of other educational and entertainment opportunities including swimming in the Rainbow River, a bird walk, canoe tours, arts and crafts vendors, live bands, a photography contest, a student art contest and the “SpringSong” contest.
Admission is $2. Silver River State Park is located east of Ocala on State Road 35 a half mile south of the Silver Springs attraction.
For more information or directions to the park, please visit the festival web site at www.springsfest.org or contact the Silver River State Park at (352) 465-8555.