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Spring –
usually March
SeaFest
The premier
event on the Space Coast and recognized as one of the “top twenty
festivals in the Southeast” by the Southeast Tourism Society is known
solely as “SeaFest”. This annual event attracts over 50,000 people from
throughout the country. Held at Port Canaveral each March, guests are
treated to delicious seafood, midway rides and games, unique exhibits
and attractions, plus nonstop entertainment featuring national and local
acts.
Admission
Charged
Chowder
Cook-Off
As the
kick-off to SeaFest, Chowder Cookoff brings together the finest chefs in
the area, each competing for the title of “Best Chowder in Brevard”.
Thousands of people attend this event to sample the chowders, as well as
other delicious samplings. Entertainment is provided.
Wildlife Events Calendar
At the Merritt Island National Wildlife
Refuge
This
calendar is to provide visitors with a general guide to seasonal
wildlife events. Weather may cause variations of one or two weeks.
January
Waterfowl
concentrations peak with blue-winged teal, widgeon, shoveler and scaup
being the most common. Bald eagles are incubating their eggs. Large
numbers of songbirds, including tree swallows and yellow-rumped
warblers, may be seen moving through the refuge.
February
Various
raptors such as red-tailed hawks, red-shouldered hawks, ospreys, merlins
and American kestrels can be seen hunting for food. Another raptor, the
American bald eagle, is actively feeding its young. Warmer days through
the winter months offer a good opportunity to see alligators basking in
the sun.
March
Most
waterfowl have returned to their northern breeding grounds except for
northern shoveler and blue-winged teal, which are in full breeding
plumage. Northbound migration is in full swing for warblers. Wood storks
begin nesting. Egrets and herons are in breeding plumage. Bald eagle
young are taking their first flights from the nest. Ospreys begin
nesting.
April
Manatee peak
population occurs in the waters of the refuge and Indian River Lagoon.
Northbound migration of willets, sandpipers, plovers, greater and lesser
yellowlegs, dunlins and many other shorebirds can be observed.
Black-necked stilts return for their summer visits.
May
Loggerhead
sea turtles begin nesting. Anhingas, little blue herons, cattle egrets,
great egrets, snowy egrets, tri-colored herons and other residential
colonial nesting birds are busy in the rookeries. Eagles usually leave
for the summer.
June
Alligators
become more secretive as temperatures increase and breeding activity
begins. Rainy season weather patterns begin - thunderstorms are quite
frequent with hot, muggy afternoons. This weather pattern continues
through September. Rainy weather and insects make preparation for
visiting during the summer months a must.
July
Many
resident bird species are abundant. They include common moorhens,
boat-tailed grackles, red-winged blackbirds, fish crows, scrub jays,
pileated woodpeckers, mottled ducks, barred owls and double-crested
commorants. Sea turtle nesting reaches peak.
August
Young
residential birds are dispersing throughout the refuge after leaving
their nests. Many of the early arriving shorebirds begin to appear.
These include common terns, caspian terns, royal terns, ruddy turnstones
and sanderlings.
September
The early
migration of blue-winged teal may be observed. Black skimmers become
abundant. Bald eagles return to the refuge for the winter months.
October
With the
return of cooler temperatures, the first major influx of migratory birds
occurs. Included are many puddle ducks such as northern shovelers,
American wigeons and pintails. The first wave of birds includes
shorebirds, songbirds and raptors.
November
The cool,
sunny days of early winter provide great opportunities for walking
refuge trails. Peregrine falcons can be seen migrating along the coast
line. White pelicans begin to arrive after their long migration.
December
Local
Audubon affiliates conduct the annual Christmas bird count. Many rails
spend the winter months on the refuge. These include king rails, clapper
rails, Virginia rails and soras. Winter concentrations of shorebirds,
wading birds, waterfowl and raptors are nearing their peak
Entertainment
Theatres
Historic
Cocoa Village Playhouse
300 Brevard
Ave.
Cocoa Beach,
FL
321-636-5050
Call for
days and hours of operation
Admission
Charged
This 500-seat facility offers performing arts series featuring community
performers and professional entertainers. The "Stars of Tomorrow" drama
troupe provides a children's performing arts series each season with
summer performances for young audiences. Built in 1924 and listed in the
National Register of Historical Places.
Henegar
Center for the Arts
625 E. New
Haven Ave.
Melbourne,
FL
321-723-8698
Call for
days and hours of operation
Admission
Charged
Proscenium
style theatre featuring state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. The
historical treasure of generations past is now a vibrant center for the
arts. Art exhibits are presented in the lobby gallery.
Maxwell
C. King Center for the Performing Arts
3865 N.
Wickham Rd.
Melbourne,
FL
321-242-2219
Admission
Charged
2,000-seat
performing arts center offering the finest in entertainers, Broadway,
dance, opera, classical, popular and children's theatre. Art exhibits
are featured monthly in the lobby gallery.
Phoenix
Threater
817 E.
Strawbridge
Melbourne,
FL
321-952-7192
Call for
specific schedule
Admission Charged
This highly acclaimed, semi-professional theater presents dramas, adult
comedies and an annual musical. Located at Surfside Playhouse, this
facility offers exciting live community theatre including a mix of
comedy, drama and musicals, providing the community with training for
backstage, technical and make-up skills. The Surfside Playhouse is a
289-seat theater serving Brevard County since 1959.
Titusville Playhouse at Emma Parrish Theatre
301 Julia
St.
Titusville,
FL
321-268-3711
Admission
Charged
A community
theatre producing quality drama, comedy and musicals. Also home of
"Emma's Attic," a small, alternative theatre experience. The Rising
Stars Children's Theatre stages productions throughout the year.
Call for
specific schedule
Historic
Cocoa Village Playhouse
300 Brevard
Ave., Cocoa
321-636-5050
Admission
Free to View, Charge for Performance
This
500-seat facility offers performing arts series featuring community
performers and professional entertainers. The "Stars of Tomorrow" drama
troupe provides a children's performing arts series each season with
summer performances for young audiences. Built in 1924 and listed in the
National Register of Historical Places.
Call for
days and hours of operation
Henegar
Center for the Arts
625 E. New
Haven Ave., Melbourne
321-723-8698
Admission
Charged
Proscenium
style theatre featuring state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. The
historical treasure of generations past is now a vibrant center for the
arts. Art exhibits are presented in the lobby gallery.
Call for
days and hours of operation
Maxwell
C. King Center for the Performing Arts
3865 N.
Wickham Rd., Melbourne
321-242-2219
Admission
Free to View, Charge for Performances
2,000-seat
performing arts center offering the finest in entertainers, Broadway,
dance, opera, classical, popular and children's theatre. Art exhibits
are featured monthly in the lobby gallery.
Call for
days and hours of operation
Sports
Florida
Marlins Spring Training Headquarters
5850 Stadium
Pkwy.
Melbourne,
FL
321-633-9200
Admission
Charged
In February
and March, baseball's Florida Marlins of the National League train at
Space Coast Stadium. During the spring and summer, the Marlins' Florida
State League franchise, the Brevard County Manatees, play at the
stadium.
Call for
schedule and hours
The
Savannahs at Sykes Creek
3915
Savannah Trail
Merritt
Island
321-455-1375
Admission
Charged
Public;
72-par; 18 holes; 6,636 yards
Call for tee
times
Turtle
Creek Golf Club
1278
Admiralty Blvd.
Rockledge
321-632-2520
Admission
Charged
Public; 72-par; 18holes; 6,686 yards
Call for tee
times |
