Join the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, January 26 and 27, as they partner with the Orange City Blue Spring Manatee Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Valentine Park in Orange City.

The Manatee Festival will offer live entertainment with great shows from local performers, and animal ambassadors from the Zoo.  There will also be loads of arts and crafts booths, kid's games, and plenty of great food to create an enjoyable family experience.

Everyone will find something to spark their interest. Take the shuttle to Blue Spring State Park to see the magnificent manatees in their natural setting. Busses will transport Festival guests throughout the day.  Each bus will play a video about manatees supplied by the Save the Manatee Club. On any given day you typically will see 100 or more manatees by visiting the spring.

So join the Zoo as we enjoy some good ole' festival fun and check out the manatees at the Orange City Blue Spring Manatee Festival.  To learn more go to www.themanateefestival.com.

Entertainment includes Caerbonnag Rock and Roll Cover Band, Disc-Connected K-9 Frisbee Show, Leslye Gale from Magic 107.7 radio, the Karegan Wodz solo artist, Bellydance ETC, Bubba "Whoopass" Wilson and the Black Sheep with Jeff Howell from Real Radio 104.1, and Phoenix Country rock band. There will also be Walk on Water Balls, SPCA Adopt-a-Pet, Sand Sculpting, children's fingerprinting by V.I.P.S., rides, face painting, and over 100 arts and crafts booths to enjoy!  The Florida Blood Centers Blood Mobile will be present for blood donations.

Orange City Blue Spring Manatee Festival is located at Valentine Park West French Avenue just off Highway 17-92 in Orange City.  From I-4 take exit 114 and follow the signs.

About the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens - The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is a 116-acre private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and to engaging and educating our guests by sharing knowledge and celebrating our natural world.  For more information regarding the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens visit www.centralfloridazoo.org or call 407.323.4450.  The Zoo is located on I-4 Exit 104 in Sanford and is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.