The Manatee Observation and Education Center (MOEC) welcomes the Firefighter Combat Challenge World Championship with a special Family Day of free admission, face painting, games, kids firefighter challenge, coloring and more on Saturday, November 6th from 10am to 4pm at 480 N Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, FL.
The Firefighter Combat Challenge has been named the “toughest two minutes in sports” by ESPN, and our St. Lucie County firefighters currently hold the world title. In celebration of this challenging international event, and local firefighters defending their title with home advantage, MOEC will hold a special Family Day.
Visitors can spend some time watching the Firefighter Combat Challenge, which is free to the public, and visit the Manatee Center with indoor and outdoor activities available, including touch tank, coloring, life-size manatee puzzles, sidewalk chalk, seagrass plantings to teach all about the upcoming seagrass restoration project that MOEC is bringing to Moore’s Creek, and more. There will also be facepainting, bounce houses, and a very special (and free) Kids Firefighter Challenge course that will be tons of fun for youth at the Manatee Center.
Schedule of Fun Family Activities
10:00 AM- Family Day Kick off!
The Kids Firefighter Challenge course opens at 10am! PLUS
visit bounce houses, coloring station, fun and games all throughout the Manatee Center and surrounding area, and more!
1:00 PM- Bone Detectives
In the outdoor classroom (pavilion). Try your hand at
investigating real bones and learn how to distinguish between manatees and turtles, learning about their important evolutionary niches along the way.
2:00 PM- FinTastic Fish Feeding
In the MOEC Exhibit Hall. Manatee Center staff will be feeding and talking about our black edge moray eel, puffers, and many more.
3:00 PM- Reptile Encounter
In the MOEC Exhibit Hall. Come meet the MOEC reptiles, Diego the red rat snake and our striped mud turtle triplet.
3:30 PM- Marvelous Mysterious Manatees
at the MOEC Spanish Patio. Learn all about our amazing manatees and what we can do to protect them.
5:00 PM- Ciderworks for Manatees
A family-friendly evening at Pierced Ciderworks including live music, prize wheel, silent auction, bake sale, New Orleans style food truck and SWAG! This is a fundraiser and 100 percent of proceeds will be directed to one acre of seagrass restoration in downtown Fort Pierce at Moore’s Creek.
About MOEC
The Manatee Observation and Education Center is a not-for-profit environmental learning center, located in downtown Fort Pierce, at the basin of Moore’s Creek and the Indian River Lagoon. Now in its 26th year, the mission of MOEC is to promote understanding and responsible actions for the protection of the Treasure Coast’s fragile ecosystem and its inhabitants. Innovative exhibits and displays allow for an up-close look at some of the unique and amazing creatures found along the Treasure Coast, as well as an opportunity to see the threatened Florida manatee in its native habitat. To volunteer or support the Center’s continued work, please visit the Manatee Center at 480 North Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, or call 772-429-6266 to learn more.