Enjoy a Taste of Nature – and Shrimp

Saturday folks are invited to tramp around in Joe Collins' tracks, in a manner of speaking, or just sit and enjoy good music and food.

The Winter Bay Day Festival arrives this Saturday with a day full of events aimed at increasing awareness of the natural beauty that surrounds us and providing funding for the management of the St. Joseph Bay State Buffer and Aquatic Preserves.

The day starts at 9 a.m. with a birding walk of Money Bayou. Another birding walk of the Air Force property on Cape San Blas will commence at 2 p.m.

In between, there is the Shrimp Boil, an annual favorite served up by the staff and volunteers at the Buffer Preserve, which begins at 11 a.m.

Guests can dine with a view on the expansive Preserves Center deck overlooking the bay.

The Shrimp Boil features local wild-caught shrimp, corn on the cob, potatoes and kielbasa sausage, along with coleslaw, garlic bread and beverages. At noon Neil Jones and Jon Copps will take their place on the deck and provide musical entertainment to diners and guests who just want to listen to some fine music.

A photo exhibit featuring local photographers will also be on site.

The Shrimp Boil will last until the food runs out, and it can run out quickly so muster a hunger early. There is a suggested $10 donation per meal.

All other activities are free of charge and weather permitting.

While the Shrimp Boil is underway, visitors can take advantage of several back country tours, learning about the ecology and importance of the Buffer Preserve from experts who manage or work on the preserve.

Space is limited so, again, the earlier the better. The tours will take place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. ET.

At 8 p.m. there will be an astronomy program at the Preserve Center, offering a glorious view of the night sky – clouds permitting.

The Preserves Center is located 4.5 miles south of Port St. Joe on St. Joseph Bay at 3915 State Road 30A.

A complete schedule of events and flyer are posted online at www.stjosephbaypreserves.org.

For more information, please contact Jessica McKenzie at (850)229-1787.