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National Park Service
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6th Annual Big Cypress Swamp Heritage Festival Saturday, December 3
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Ochopee, FL – October 2016 / Newsmaker Alert / Join us for the 6th annual Big Cypress Swamp Heritage Festival – Saturday, December, 3 2016 – at the Big Cypress National Preserve Welcome Center, 33000 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL 34141. This FREE family-friendly event shines a spotlight upon the inhabitants of South Florida, whose rugged strength and pioneering spirit contributed to the shaping of today’s unique and diverse culture. These unique chapters in American history add to the rich and colorful tableau that comprises our shared past and present. Join us every year on the first Saturday of December for this annual event.

The event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a special Night Sky Program from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Information on the event can be found at www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/2016-swamp-heritage-festival.htm.
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6th Annual Big Cypress Swamp Heritage Festival Saturday, December 3This year’s auditorium presentations include Rick Smith’s multi-media presentation “Patrick Smith’s Florida is a Land Remembered” a visual storytelling about his father’s book A Land Remembered (11:00 to 12:30 and 3:00 to 4:30); Franklin Adams sharing remembrances of a lifetime of exploration and adventure in the Big Cypress and Greater Everglades (12:30 to 1:30); and Clyde Butcher talking about his work in photography, connection to the Big Cypress and stories of his adventures through the swamps, rivers and mangroves that make Florida the unique sub-tropical paradise he calls home (1:45 to 2:45).

“The Big Cypress Swamp is an unfamiliar place for many. But once you connect to it, it’s in your soul. This festival provides an opportunity to be introduced to the Big Cypress and the people who have made that deep connection to this special place,” stated Tammy Whittington, Big Cypress National Preserve Superintendent.

Due to the popularity of auditorium presentations during past festivals FREE tickets will be required this year. The free ticket site can be reached from the event web page.

Join us throughout the day for other campfire presentations, music, demonstrations and local food. Information for which is all found on the web page.

This year’s festival is dedicated to Joe Browder (April 10, 1938 –September 18, 2016), a staunch advocate for protecting natural areas in Florida and across the country. Joe was instrumental in the creation of both Big Cypress National Preserve and Biscayne National Monument, later designated as a National Park. It was through Joe’s persistence that Marjory Stoneman Douglas started the Friends of the Everglades, an organization focused on stopping the development of the proposed Everglades Jetport. The completion of which would have had devastating effects to the Big Cypress.

This event is made possible through the support of the South Florida National Parks Trust, the Everglades Association and other generous supporters. The South Florida National Parks Trust works to improve the quality of life in South Florida by supporting the national parks and events such as the heritage festival. for more information on their support contact them at 305-665-4769.

Pictures from past festivals can be found at - https://www.flickr.com/photos/bigcypressnps/albums/72157638546197795

About The National Park Service
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 413 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.NPS.gov, on Facebook Facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter Twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube YouTube.com/nationalparkservice.

Contact: Bob DeGross, National Park Service, 239-695-1107

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Publishing Dates: 10/27/16 – 12/27/16
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