MEDIA ADVISORY: Nov. 10, 2011
STATE PARK TO CELEBRATE HISTORIC IMPROVEMENTS WITH WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
~Join the Friends
of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park for a fun filled weekend~
 Future look of the historic greenhouse at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park.
PALM COAST - The Florida Department of Environmental
Protection’s Washington Oaks Gardens State Park will host a three day event to
celebrate improvements to the Washington Oaks Historic District, Friday, Nov. 11
through Sunday, Nov. 13. Entrance to all state parks will be free on Friday,
Nov. 11 in honor of Veterans Day.*
On Friday, Nov. 11, Veteran’s Day Observance will
begin at 10 a.m. with music performed by the Matanzas High School Jazz Band and
singer Jimmy Lopez. At 11 a.m., Air Force Major General (retired) “Will”
Hessert, a Palm Coast resident, will address the crowd following a moment of
silence. An inaugural tour of the Historic District Interpretive Panels will
take place beginning at 1 p.m.
Entrance to the park will also be waived for the festivities
on Saturday, Nov. 12. In conjunction with the Second Saturday Plant Sale, the
Friends of Washington Oaks will celebrate the Restoration of Mrs. Louise P.
Young’s Greenhouse at 10 a.m. Later, George Hausermann Jr., fourth generation
orchid grower and internationally renowned hybridizer, will host an orchid
workshop and plant clinic.
The weekend’s celebration will conclude on Sunday afternoon
with the Tim Rippey Benefit Concert from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Friends will hold
a ground breaking ceremony for the new stage at 1:30 p.m. before the show.
Benefit concert tickets are $15, including park admission. Tickets will be
available at the Gift Shop or by calling 386-446-9867.
Other activities during Washington Oaks Weekend include a
silent auction, a Friends Bake Sale, food from JT’s Seafood Shack, a youth area
featuring patriotic and planting activities, tours and the gift shop will be
open. All proceeds benefit the park for enhancement of current and new
facilities.
For more information on this event, visit the park's website. *Offer excludes Skyway Fishing Pier State Park in St.
Petersburg.
The event will take place:
Friday, Nov. 11 - Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Washington Oaks
Gardens State
Park
6400 North Oceanshore Boulevard
Palm Coast, Florida
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