April 2: Celebrate the oceans at a family festival in the Florida Keys
Enjoy a day of fun, music, food and shopping to celebrate the Florida Key's treasured marine environment while raising funds for coral reef restoration during the 7th Florida Keys Ocean Festival & Waterfront Craft Show.
The event will take place from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, April 2 at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center.
The fun includes:
- Free sky rides on Keys Energy Bucket Trucks
- Nautical-themed face painting
- Rock climbing, bounce house, bungee game, water wheels
- Touch Tanks and live animals
- Kids' treasure hunt
- Passport to the Ocean game
- Wyland art auction "live"
- Live music
Don’t forget to say hello to marine artist Wyland as he paints with the kids from 1-3 p.m. Wyland will then create new artwork live to auction so you can take his artwork home.
Leading up to the Florida Keys Ocean Festival, you can enter a raffle for a beautiful “WoodyBoard” paddleboard. Proceeds support Mote’s coral reef restoration efforts. The winner will be declared at 5:30 p.m. on the day of the festival, April 2. Details and tickets can be found here.
Enjoy a huge silent auction including vacation lodging stays, artwork, crafts, fishing and sports gear, watersports, dining certificates, jewelry and more. All proceeds go to coral reef restoration programs at Mote.
This event is presented by Mote Marine Laboratory and is made possible by the Keys community and numerous sponsors.
- For more information, visit Keys Ocean Fest.
Race for the reef: For another great way to support coral reefs, join the 4th Annual Smokin’ Tuna Saloon 5K Tuna Trot at 8 a.m. on April 2. (Race day registration takes place from 7-7:45 a.m.). The 5K, which kicks off the Ocean Festival, is a fun and unique course through Fort Zachary Taylor that finishes at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center on the Truman Waterfront in Key West. Proceeds from the race support the Protect Our Reefs program and coral reef restoration efforts at Mote.
Keystock Music Festival: After the Ocean Festival, stay at the Truman Annex Waterfront for the Keystock Music Festival featuring Huey Lewis & The News. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets available through Ticket Force.
Howard Livingston & The MM 24 band
Come on down, shop, eat and drink, win prizes, have a blast and get ready for the Huey Lewis & The News Concert right next to the festival. Concert gates open at 6 p.m. and tickets will be available at the Ocean Festival all day, online at www.keystix.com or by calling Lazy Lakes Resort 305-745-1079. General admission is $40, VIP tickets are $100 for the concert and the Ocean Festival is free.
