Event, which focuses on children’s activities, to be held at nonprofit’s Bay Preserve headquarters in Osprey
Big Waters Land Trust’s 2025 Wild About Nature Festival will be held on Saturday, April 5, the nonprofit has announced.
“This celebrated annual community event” will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Trust’s Bay Preserve headquarters, which is located at 400 Palmetto Ave. in Osprey, a news release says.
With an exhibitor line-up featuring more than 25 local environmental and youth-serving organizations, the children’s festival has been planned to bring people together “for a fun-filled day of nature-based activities and exploration,” the release explains. All festival activities, which are free, are focused on getting children “outside and excited about nature,” the release points out.
Among the activities will be tree climbing, nature printing, the planting of native plants, animal encounters, face-painting, crafts and games, the release says. Multiple food trucks will also be on-site, as well, the release notes: Bonanno’s Bagels, Clean Plate Club SRQ, Currywurst, The Empanada Girl, Blended Bonanza, and Kona Ice.
Moreover, for the first time during a Wild About Nature Festival, Big Waters will welcome The Garbage-Men band for a live performance, the release points out. “Teaching sustainability through music, The Garbage-Men promote recycling, reuse, and community service by playing music on instruments made from recycled and repurposed materials,” the release explains. The band will perform from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“I say this every year, but this year’s festival is going to bigger and better than ever before,” noted Sam Valentin, Big Waters’ director of marketing and events, in the release. “And it’s true! We have some really great new organizations joining us, including the Sidewalk Science Center with daytime astronomy; longtime favorite activities like kayaking with Get Up and Go Kayaking; plus special performances and fun guest appearances,” she added. “There’s something for everyone at Wild About Nature, and though, technically, it’s a children’s festival,” she continued, “it’s a great time for nature lovers of all ages!”
Registration is not required for this community event, the release says, but Big Waters’ staff requests that people RVSP through a Facebook event page.
Most parking will be off-site at the First Baptist Church of Osprey, Victory Baptist Church, the historic Osprey Library, and Evie’s on the Bay, the release adds. Limited accessible parking will be available on site. Those attempting to enter the Bay Preserve parking lot will be re-routed unless they have a visible parking permit, the release points out.
“A school bus will run on a loop to transport guests between the event space and parking areas,” the release says.
More details may be found on Big Waters’ Wild About Nature Facebook event page.
To sponsor the 2025 Wild About Nature Festival, visit bigwaterslandtrust.org/wildaboutnature.