FORT MYERS, FL – The Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium is excited to invite you and your family to our much-anticipated Friendly Forest Fall Festival, happening this Saturday, September 21, and Sunday, September 22, from 10 AM to 4 PM each day. This year’s festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of autumn, packed with engaging activities and festive entertainment for all ages!
Event Highlights:
Meet Smokey Bear: Join us for a special meet-and-greet with the beloved Smokey Bear, where you can learn about fire safety and conservation.
Explore Nature: Discover the intriguing world of bees and reptiles through interactive exhibits and demonstrations.
Creative Fun: Get creative at our pumpkin decorating and Halloween mask-making stations, perfect for crafting your seasonal masterpieces.
Outdoor Games: Enjoy exciting games on our Green with opportunities to win fantastic prizes.
Planetarium Shows: Experience four awe-inspiring Planetarium shows exploring the wonders of the universe.
Live Music: Groove to lively performances that add a festive rhythm to your fall celebration.
Tasty Treats: Savor refreshing Icees from Rita’s and indulge in delicious BBQ from Jimmy’s Smokin’ BBQ and adult beverages at our new planetarium bar The Swamp.
The Friendly Forest Fall Festival will take place at the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, located at 3450 Ortiz Avenue, just north of Colonial. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids, with tickets available at the door. This event provides a fantastic opportunity for families, friends, and the community to celebrate the season and support our mission of environmental education and conservation.
“We are thrilled to welcome everyone to our Friendly Forest Fall Festival,” said Eric Raddatz, Executive Director of the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium. “This event is a great way for our community to enjoy the beauty of fall, engage with nature, and support our ongoing efforts to inspire and educate.” Sponsorship opportunities are available. Tickets are available now!
Grand Reopening of the Planetarium: We are also delighted to announce the grand reopening of our newly renovated Planetarium on Friday, September 27. 🎉 Festivities will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. with honorees, dignitaries, sponsors, partners and supporters, followed by screenings throughout the day. All are also invited to join us for a VIP reception and exclusive movie screening from 6 to 8 p.m., with tickets available for $150. Be mesmerized by our featured presentation, Mesmerica 360 – an extraordinary 360-degree projection experience offering virtual reality-like visuals combined with soothing and stimulating effects. 🎥✨ This immersive show features music by Grammy-nominated composer and percussionist James Hood and 3D animated art from international artists. Mesmerica 360 tickets are available. Tickets can be purchased at calusanature.org and Mesmerica Tickets. (OH and see a great News-Press article about our grand renovation of our planetarium here!)
Upcoming Events:
Haunted Walk: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in October at 7:30 PM. Experience our annual Haunted Walk and support our animal residents. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Tickets available now!
Music Under the Stars: October 17, 2024, at 7:00 PM. Enjoy Acoustic Americana music featuring Brian Smalley, Bill Metts, and Roy Schneider in the Planetarium. Tickets available now!
Daily Programming:
Tuesday - Saturday:
12:15 PM & 2:15 PM: Planetarium Show
1:15 PM: Animal Talk
Sunday:
12:15 PM, 2:15 PM, & 3:15 PM: Planetarium Show
1:15 PM: Animal Talk
Support Our Renovation: Help us bring our newly renovated Planetarium to life by donating to our capital campaign here. Explore special sponsorship opportunities, including naming rights for Planetarium seats and other key features here. 💖
A Special Thank You: We extend our heartfelt thanks to our supporters, including Vulcan Materials, R4, Aux Delicies, Famous Dave’s, The City of Fort Myers, The Fred and Jean Allegretti Foundation, Heitman House, and the Fort Myers Film Festival.
Stay Connected Cozy at home? Experience the Calusa Nature Center virtually! Enjoy our FREE T360 tour from your couch: #HomeBoundAdventures #NatureAtHome. Immerse yourself in our fresh interactive education videos here. Make your event unforgettable with one of Florida's unique venues! From weddings and showers to meetings and parties, we offer stunning indoor and outdoor spaces. Reach out now to reserve your date!
Stay connected and learn more about our events and programming by visiting www.calusanature.org or following us on social media. For a recent look at our renovation updates, check out the NBC2 story here.
For media inquiries or interview opportunities, please contact:
Contact: Eric Raddatz
Executive Director
Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium
3450 Ortiz Avenue
Fort Myers, FL 33905
Email: eraddatz@calusanature.org
Phone: 239.275.3435
Website: www.calusanature.org
We look forward to celebrating fall with you and sharing our newly renovated Planetarium!
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