Bay Day Festival at St. Joseph Bay Preserves

PORT ST. JOE, FL - The Friends of St. Joseph Bay Preserves host the 3rd Annual Bay Day on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Preserve Center.

The Event will feature a Shrimp Boil, live music, and local photography exhibits, as well as guided trips throughout the Buffer Preserve and St. Joseph Bay.

On backcountry tours, join experienced guides as they showcase the area’s stunning fall wildflowers, butterflies, and birds, and illustrate the Buffer Preserve’s ecology and its importance to St. Joseph Bay. Wading and boat tours will exhibit the abundant marine life and seagrass habitat in one of the most pristine coastal bays remaining in Florida.

Saturday’s trips will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m.

Again on Sunday, Oct. 4, additional guided tours are planned through the Buffer Preserve starting at 10:30 a.m. Birding trips will be led by regional expert birders.

Also on Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m., guests can dine with a view on the expansive Preserve Center deck overlooking the bay. The Shrimp Boil will feature local wildcaught shrimp, corn on the cob, potatoes and kielbasa sausage, along with cole slaw, garlic bread and beverages.

To completely delight the senses, lunchtime will kick off live musical entertainment with Neil Jones and Jon Copps.

The Shrimp Boil will last until the food runs out. There is a suggested $10 donation per meal, and a suggested $10 donation for guided boat tours, but all other activities are free of charge. All guided trips are weather permitting.

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

A complete schedule of events is posted online at www.stjosephbaypreserves.org.

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