A worldwide ocean celebration is on the horizon — join the fun during the World Oceans Day Family Festival from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, at Mote Aquarium. The family festival is free with regular paid admission to Mote Aquarium and is free for Mote Members.
World Oceans Day is an international day of ocean celebration that provides an annual opportunity to honor, appreciate and help conserve the world’s oceans. World Oceans Day, nationally celebrated on June 8, was established in 1992 at the Earth Summit and declared a holiday by the United Nations in 2009 as a reminder of the importance of a clean ocean and its impact on our future.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is pleased to theme this year’s World Oceans Day celebration as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, complementing Asolo Repertory Theatre’s family-friendly summer production. More info below.
During Mote’s family festival, enjoy entertainment from Jambo’s Journey’s Jumbo Live, a family-friendly, interactive show that celebrates conservation and encourages children to be good stewards of the deep and protect the precious marine life that live in our oceans.
Guests will also enjoy the sounds of The Garbage Men, who teach sustainability through recycled musical instruments, face painting and a Kona Ice truck, creating a welcoming environment for families and those who enjoy marine life.
- Interested in sponsoring? Contact Kate Knepper at kknepper@mote.org or 941-388-4441 ext. 393 for more information.
- Are you a nonprofit interested in exhibiting? Contact Samantha Byrd at sbyrd@mote.org 941-388-4441 ext. 426 for more information.
Mote would like to extend special thanks to its event sponsors: Wilde Insurance Services and Cityside SRQ.
Asolo’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea plunges the audience into the pages of Jules Verne’s classic science fiction story. Brought to life through a mix of unforgettable characters, eye-popping projections and interactive technology, this time-honored tale explores our place in time and space, and illuminates the mysteries of the deep blue sea. The show will run from June 7 through July 1 at Asolo Repertory Theatre (5555 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota). To purchase tickets, visit asolorep.org or call (941) 351-8000.
New this year: Give-a-thon in honor of World Oceans Day
Not only can guests enjoy learning about the marine environment in fun and engaging ways during the family festival, but guests can also donate to Mote to help the nonprofit, independent marine research institution fulfill its mission of conducting today’s research for tomorrow’s oceans.
The Give-a-thon in honor of World Oceans Day is a 48-hour online fundraising event from noon on Friday, June 2 through noon on Sunday, June 4. Instead of a telethon, the Give-a-thon is an “Internet-a-thon” where gifts are made online. This year, thanks to the generous support of Gene and Anne Beckstein, Mote will match gifts up to a total of $25,000.
Here’s how the Give-a-thon works:
- Donations must be made online between noon on Friday, June 2, and 11:59 a.m. Sunday June 4 at mote.org/give.
- A debit or credit card must be used.
- Donations are 100 percent tax deductible.
Questions on how to donate? Contact Kate Knepper from Mote’s Development Team, 941-388-4441 ext. 393.