Fifth Annual Wings Over Water Festival called a success
The Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District hosted its Fifth Annual Wings Over Water Festival on Friday Jan. 29 and Saturday, Jan. 30 at Harns Marsh, in Lehigh Acres, to help the public discover the beauty of Southwest Florida’s water, land and wildlife.
This educational, community event celebrates southwest Florida’s natural resources and included presentations from experts, an array of exhibits from local organizations, kids activities, food, guided walks and a rubber duck race.
Lehigh Acres MSID’s mission is to preserve and protect the water resources within its boundaries. In the early 1980’s, Lehigh Acres MSID transformed the 578-acre farmland into an active stormwater facility, Harns Marsh, to filter water and reduce flooding to the Orange River. The water control structures have helped create a lush habitat for snail kites, limpkin and more than 160 species of animals. Harns Marsh is located in the eastern portion of Lee County located off of Sunshine Blvd. in Lehigh Acres.
Admission to the annual festival was free of charge due to the generosity of sponsors like: Mosaic, AIM Engineering and Surveying, Inc., Brown and Brown Public Risk Insurance Agency, Brian and Sara Cottrell, Preferred Community Bank, Eastside Printing, Coldwell Banker and the Holiday Inn Express and Suites at the Forum.
Lehigh Acres MSID manager David E. Lindsay and Assistant District Manager, Michael Cook, lead a talk at Harns Marsh on Friday, Jan. 29 educating visitors on the area’s water control features and discussed the future plans/development for Harns Marsh and the West Marsh. Harns Marsh is not a park, but passive exploration is permitted by Lehigh Acres MSID as long as it does not interfere with district maintenance.
On Saturday, Jan. 30, the district hosted a variety of on-site activities from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. including lectures from experts; exhibitions by wildlife and education-related organizations, Lehigh Acres businesses and local government agencies; children’s activities, guided walks and viewing of various species of flora and fauna. Lee County Commissioner Frank Mann and Lehigh Acres MSID Commissioner Ken Thompson and Commissioner Nate Stout opened the event with a warm welcome to guests.
Some event highlights included a guided photography walk by Mark Renz, owner operator of Fossil Expeditions. Mark is an avid photographer, published author of numerous books and fossil expert. Following the morning walk, Renz lead a talk on some of his local fossil finds.
Steve Masek from Steve Masek’s Animal Mania introduced a packed house to a variety of Florida’s native and invasive animals. Masek, best known for his appearance on Animal Planet, showcased a variety of live animals commonly captured in our local area, such as the Burmese python, lizards and other animals. A long-time friend of the WOW Festival, Steve aims to educate guests and eliminate fear of reptiles through his interactive presentations.
Home Depot held a free birdhouse building station for kids and Lehigh Acres MSID had a kids zone offering face painting, games, etc.
Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties conducted the WOW Festival’s annual Rubber Duck Race and raised funds for the American Cancer Society.
“The weather was beautiful for the Fifth Annual WOW Festival; we drew great crowds to the event were able to provide a diverse offering of education opportunities and engaging activities ,” said Lehigh Acres MSID Chairman Ken Thompson.
Fifth Annual Wings Over Water Festival called a success
The Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District hosted its Fifth Annual Wings Over Water Festival on Friday Jan. 29 and Saturday, Jan. 30 at Harns Marsh, in Lehigh Acres, to help the public discover the beauty of Southwest Florida’s water, land and wildlife.
This educational, community event celebrates southwest Florida’s natural resources and included presentations from experts, an array of exhibits from local organizations, kids activities, food, guided walks and a rubber duck race.
Lehigh Acres MSID’s mission is to preserve and protect the water resources within its boundaries. In the early 1980’s, Lehigh Acres MSID transformed the 578-acre farmland into an active stormwater facility, Harns Marsh, to filter water and reduce flooding to the Orange River. The water control structures have helped create a lush habitat for snail kites, limpkin and more than 160 species of animals. Harns Marsh is located in the eastern portion of Lee County located off of Sunshine Blvd. in Lehigh Acres.
Admission to the annual festival was free of charge due to the generosity of sponsors like: Mosaic, AIM Engineering and Surveying, Inc., Brown and Brown Public Risk Insurance Agency, Brian and Sara Cottrell, Preferred Community Bank, Eastside Printing, Coldwell Banker and the Holiday Inn Express and Suites at the Forum.
Lehigh Acres MSID manager David E. Lindsay and Assistant District Manager, Michael Cook, lead a talk at Harns Marsh on Friday, Jan. 29 educating visitors on the area’s water control features and discussed the future plans/development for Harns Marsh and the West Marsh. Harns Marsh is not a park, but passive exploration is permitted by Lehigh Acres MSID as long as it does not interfere with district maintenance.
On Saturday, Jan. 30, the district hosted a variety of on-site activities from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. including lectures from experts; exhibitions by wildlife and education-related organizations, Lehigh Acres businesses and local government agencies; children’s activities, guided walks and viewing of various species of flora and fauna. Lee County Commissioner Frank Mann and Lehigh Acres MSID Commissioner Ken Thompson and Commissioner Nate Stout opened the event with a warm welcome to guests.
Some event highlights included a guided photography walk by Mark Renz, owner operator of Fossil Expeditions. Mark is an avid photographer, published author of numerous books and fossil expert. Following the morning walk, Renz lead a talk on some of his local fossil finds.
Steve Masek from Steve Masek’s Animal Mania introduced a packed house to a variety of Florida’s native and invasive animals. Masek, best known for his appearance on Animal Planet, showcased a variety of live animals commonly captured in our local area, such as the Burmese python, lizards and other animals. A long-time friend of the WOW Festival, Steve aims to educate guests and eliminate fear of reptiles through his interactive presentations.
Home Depot held a free birdhouse building station for kids and Lehigh Acres MSID had a kids zone offering face painting, games, etc.
Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties conducted the WOW Festival’s annual Rubber Duck Race and raised funds for the American Cancer Society.
“The weather was beautiful for the Fifth Annual WOW Festival; we drew great crowds to the event were able to provide a diverse offering of education opportunities and engaging activities ,” said Lehigh Acres MSID Chairman Ken Thompson.
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