The Town Center Arbor Day celebration, held on Saturday the 18th Central Avenue in Palm Coast, was a success by any way you square it. The event, held to bring the community together and promote the planting of trees, brought together a variety of vendors and entertainers to spread a little joy on a hot Saturday morning.
This year was Palm Coast’s 16th annual celebration, taking place from 9:00 that morning until 2:00 in the afternoon. Admission was free and food and refreshments were offered all around.
Below is a collection of photos from the event, taken by Stephen Helfrich.
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Ld3v3J1A-300x207.jpeg)
Palm Coast residents enjoy a day in the sun.
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3wisRm6w-200x300.jpeg)
Representatives from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office were on hand.
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/mSI9LVgg-300x200.jpeg)
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin and Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly enjoy some community outreach.
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/51jAlGvA-300x218.jpeg)
A yellow butterfly lands for a short rest on a leaf.
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/cOpVzVw-200x300.jpeg)
The butterfly tent was a big hit for kids in attendance.
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/DcgxeSpA-300x200.jpg)
The local Girl Scout troop was on-hand to help distribute trees.
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/wQo8zAGg-300x200.jpeg)
Residents could pick up a tree in exchange for canned food donations.
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/H_G8A3dA-300x200.jpeg)
Mayor Alfin took an active role in the day’s festivities.
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/J1Q9keCg-268x300.jpg)
A team from the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation set up at Arbor Day to show off a variety of Central Florida snakes. Shown here: the eastern indigo snake, a threatened species native to Florida.
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/7uccajwA-200x300.jpeg)
The snakes were a popular sight for young attendees!
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/BzBvCYAw-300x200.jpeg)
Eastern indigo snakes are the longest snake species native to North America.
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/tEyUO_tA-200x300.jpeg)
Families bonded over attractions like the native butterflies.
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/oJ4IDGKw-300x200.jpeg)
A monarch butterfly release was the main event of the morning.
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2VnW_IKg-260x300.jpeg)
A cardboard cutout of Sheriff Staly himself was a popular attraction for kids and adults alike.
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/298becXw-300x200.jpeg)
You’re never too old to play with butterflies, as Mayor Alfin demonstrates here.
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IiUrJzlA-300x200.jpeg)
It may have been overcast for part of the morning, but that didn’t dampen any smiles – especially the kids’.
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ygRurJPg-300x200.jpg)
Palm Coast Volunteer Fire Rescue set up a tent to interact with the community.
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
![](https://askflagler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/afd.png)
TR
September 25, 2021 at 8:32 am
So glad to see that organizers are holding their events and for the most part people that attend are enjoying the event without being forced to wear a stupid mask. Glad things seem to be getting back to normal and people are not living in fear.