The 50th Anniversary of Pinellas County’s Fort De Soto Park

Fort De Soto Park is celebrating its 50^th anniversary Saturday, May 11, with a nostalgic day full of traditional activities that harken back to the opening of the park, when a dedication ceremony included a guest appearance of Miss Florida and a water ski show.

True to tradition, Miss Florida 2012 Laura McKeeman will participate in the re-dedication on Saturday, and a water ski show will once again delight visitors. 

Sponsored by the Friends of Fort De Soto, activities will include plantings, family activities, live music and refreshments. All of the activities will take place around the historic fort, rain or shine. The schedule is subject to change and times are approximate.

• 8 a.m. Opening ceremony: National Anthem, color guard, raising of the flag
• 9 a.m. Sea oats planting. Sign up is behind the fort between 8 and 9 a.m.
• 10:30 a.m. Tampa Bay Ski Show
• Re-dedication ceremony
• Eco-paddle to the north tip of the island to continue planting sea oats

The afternoon will be filled with music, a community barbecue, giveaways and exhibits. Entertainment will include Lightning Jack Steel Drum Band, Perkins Elementary/Voice of Perkins and Perkins Beat, Perkins Dance Performance, D’Band, The Wall Bangers, Big Moon Rocket, shades of Twilight and T-Foxx. There will also be a martial arts demonstration and exhibits from local organizations.

Parking fees will be waived until 10 a.m. and shelters #10 and #11 will not be available for use all day.

For more information on the event, call (727) 582-1862. For more information on Fort De Soto park, visit www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm. Videos may be viewed at www.youtube.com/pcctv1.

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