DUNEDIN — The upcoming Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot Competition shall be eco-friendly — to say the least — with quite a lot of spins to it.
Plans name for attendees to have the chance to check drive a Tesla, stated Tracy Love Tippin, one of many coordinators of the occasion.
Slated for Saturday, Feb. 12, at Edgewater Park, 51 Major St., the pageant options exhibitors, a waterfront cleanup, audio system, meals, drinks, native animals, video games, arts, wearable artwork and extra.
Blue-Inexperienced Connections, a neighborhood nonprofit group devoted to defending land and waters, is overseeing the occasion.
Dunedin is taken into account the hometown of the Gulf Coast Hope Spot. The designations are for areas which can be thought-about vital to oceans’ well being.
“The pageant is type of in celebration of the Hope Spot. So we’ve got lot of ocean-focused actions,” stated Tippin, president of Blue-Inexperienced Connections. “But in addition a part of selling the Hope Spot in protecting it wholesome is sustainable actions. So we even have lots of distributors that promote sustainable merchandise or have eco-friendly practices.”
Apart from being a studying expertise for adults, the pageant will present hands-on actions for kids.
Additionally featured is an “eat and drink native” occasion from 4 p.m. to six p.m. 100 tickets shall be bought at $25 every.
Drinks shall be served in limited-edition commemorative Hope Fest mugs. The paintings is designed by Tom Stovall, who’s creating artwork for the mural for the Curlew Water Tower.
“The artist gave us permission to make use of his turtle on the mug, so it is going to say, ‘Metropolis of Dunedin, residence metropolis for the Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot,’” Tippin stated.
Blue-Inexperienced Connections is partnering with Hold Pinellas Stunning to have a waterfront cleanup alongside Edgewater Drive, beginning at about 8 a.m. on the day of the pageant.
SHAMc Artreach will information the creation of a community-contributed sculpture utilizing trash collected through the pageant. But to be decided is the design of the sculpture, however into account is a sea life creature.
A wearable artwork/costume contest is slated together with yoga, dance and artwork actions. The Southern Alliance for Clear Power will present alternatives for attendees to drive a Tesla.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Zoo Tampa and Ina the Mermaid are among the many exhibitors anticipated to attend.
Leisure shall be supplied by DJ Multiplayer on the microphone from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Jessie Stout on the guitar from 4 p.m. to six p.m.
The occasion shall be Dunedin’s first try at a zero-waste pageant, Tippin stated.
“So we’re requesting that the entire distributors use certified-compostable supplies if they’ve to make use of single-use objects,” Tippin stated. “After which we’re amassing the entire natural waste, the entire meals waste and compostables, into separate bins town goes to supply.”
College college students on the bins will describe the method of what is going to occur with the waste.
Meals waste shall be put in an natural waste bin that shall be taken to Rosebud Continuum, which is a sustainable schooling heart in Land O’ Lakes.
“We’re going to soak it, grind it, put it into an anaerobic digester and it will likely be transformed into renewable power and fertilizer,” Tippin stated.
Different actions Blue-Inexperienced Connections is planning embrace a gala on the Fenway Lodge, 453 Edgewater Drive, on Saturday, Feb. 27, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Among the many scheduled audio system are Ryan Orgera, an ocean conservationist; Natalie Gass, metropolis of Dunedin sustainability coordinator; and Ed Sherwood, director of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program.
Tickets are $75 to $100.
For extra details about the pageant and the gala, go to https://www.bluegreenconn.org/.
Requested what from the pageant would give her essentially the most satisfaction, Tippin stated having folks perceive what the Hope Spot is.
“Most of us are conscious we’ve got one thing particular right here within the waters, however typically occasions we do not take care of it as we should always. Simply to apply what we preach. Present folks there may be a straightforward manner ahead with sustainability,” she stated.
Authorities can solely accomplish that a lot, stated Tippin’s sister, Vicki Love, who’s treasurer of Blue-Inexperienced Connections.
“Individuals have to take duty for all of the actions that they do,” Love stated. “Lots of people doing a little bit bit could make a huge effect.”