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Save the date for the 2018 Charlotte Harbor Nature Festival

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Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Laishley Park, 200 Laishley Court in Punta Gorda

Please help celebrate the splendor of the natural environment of Southwest Florida by sponsoring, exhibiting, volunteering and promoting the 19th Annual Charlotte Harbor Nature Festival on Saturday, November 17, 2018. The Festival has become an indispensable showcase of our region's activities and it is a great opportunity to spread your message, advertise your business, demonstrate your accomplishments, build your constituency, and sell your creations.

This community festival is possible because of the generous support of its sponsors. Please consider becoming a financial contributor, all sponsors will be recognized in press releases and on festival sponsor signage. If interested, please contact Jennifer Hecker.

The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Laishley Park, 120 Laishley Court, Punta Gorda, FL. Set up the day of the Festival begins at 8:00 a.m, to be completed by 9 am. All exhibitors and vendors are required to stay for the entire Festival and break down between 3 - 4 pm. Additional guidance will be sent to those who register through obtaining the appropriate category "ticket" on EventBrite. (Please note that there is no rain date or refunds.) See below for more information about each participant category:

Educational Exhibitor
An educational exhibitor is an organization that does work related to the protection and restoration of the natural environment in the CHNEP area. Educational exhibitors receive a free covered table space and chair (welcome to bring extra 2-3 folding chairs if needed) There are 40 tickets for educational exhibitors. /p>

Live Animal Exhibitor
A live animal exhibitor is an organization that wishes to bring a live ambassador animal and that does work related to wildlife in the CHNEP area. Educational exhibitors receive a free covered table space and chair (welcome to bring extra 2-3 folding chairs if needed). The live animal exhibits will be housed in a separate tent this year. There are 10 tickets for live animal exhibitors.

Kids Zone Exhibitors
An Kids Zone exhibitor is an organization in the CHNEP area that would like to offer an environmental educational activity at the festival. Kids Zone exhibitors receive a free covered table space and chair (welcome to bring extra 2-3 folding chairs if needed). The Kids Zone activity tables will be housed in a separate tent this year. There are 10 tickets for Kids Zone exhibitors.

Food vendors
If you would like to register to get one of the coveted and limited food truck spots for the event, please obtain ticket to reserve right away. There are 2 tickets available for savory food, 2 tickets available for desserts and 2 tickets available for drinks/smoothies only vendors for only $25 per vendor available on first come basis.

Nature Art / Native Plant Vendors
Vendors who wish to sell native plants or nature art that represents the wildlife and plants in the CHNEP area will be provided an open lawn space to erect their own 10' x 10' tent, with one table and one chair provided. There are 10 tickets for only $25 available on a first come basis.

Interested in helping to plan, promote of volunteer the day before and day of the event? Can you help promote the festival through a newsletter, website or correspondence? Please email chnep@chnep.org to let us know. If you have further questions or would like to talk with someone about the festival, please contact Suzie Thompson with the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (941/575-3390 toll-free 866/835-5785 or email sthompson@chnep.org).

Thank you for your support of the CHNEP. With your help, we hope to make the 19th annual Charlotte Harbor Nature Festival the best yet!