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.
Palm Coast residents enjoy a day in the sun.
Representatives from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office were on hand.
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin and Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly enjoy some community outreach.
A yellow butterfly lands for a short rest on a leaf.
The butterfly tent was a big hit for kids in attendance.
The local Girl Scout troop was on-hand to help distribute trees.
Residents could pick up a tree in exchange for canned food donations.
Mayor Alfin took an active role in the day’s festivities.
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.
The snakes were a popular sight for young attendees!
Eastern indigo snakes are the longest snake species native to North America.
Families bonded over attractions like the native butterflies.
A monarch butterfly release was the main event of the morning.
A cardboard cutout of Sheriff Staly himself was a popular attraction for kids and adults alike.
You’re never too old to play with butterflies, as Mayor Alfin demonstrates here.
It may have been overcast for part of the morning, but that didn’t dampen any smiles – especially the kids’.
Palm Coast Volunteer Fire Rescue set up a tent to interact with the community.
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.