Right whale festival returns to Fernandina beach this weekend
Northeast Florida’s barrier island, which describes itself as a natural gem, is hosting its annual Right Whale Festival this weekend.
Held every year since 2009, the festival celebrates the moment when one of the largest whale species migrates back south to its subtropical breeding grounds.
Kicking off Friday morning at Fernandina Beach’s Main Beach Park and running through Sunday, the festival combines conservation education with family-friendly activities and live entertainment. It also offers visitors a chance to connect directly with experts working to protect marine wildlife through workshops from organizers Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.”The North Atlantic right whale is facing extinction, and our Southeast coast is their only known calving ground,” said Cheryl Munday, Right Whale Festival Coordinator.
“With fewer than 70 reproductive females remaining, we have an incredible responsibility to protect the mothers and calves right here in our backyard.”The species remains precarious, but has shown slow population growth. This year’s calving season along the southeast U.S. coastline has seen the most North Atlantic right whale calves born in a single year since 2009.
The festival will kick off Friday, Nov. 6 at 11:30 a.m. with a lecture on this year’s theme, “Their Future, Our Fight.”The lecture and luncheon at the Story & Song Center for Arts & Culture highlights grassroots conservation organizations working to protect North Atlantic right whales throughout their migratory range. Tickets are $25, including lunch.
This year’s children’s program features a Right Whale Festival Passport, encouraging young visitors to explore exhibits, interact with conservation organizations and learn about right whales and their habitat.
Children will learn how they can help protect marine mammals through everyday actions, including reducing marine debris, practicing responsible boating and sharing conservation messages.A detailed event program is available on the festival’s website.
