 | The Manatee Messenger Bringing you the latest news about West Volusia's
special events, area attractions and lodging promotions
March 2011
Show Me Some Love 
Gators become lethargic when the waters of the St. Johns River turn cold. But this one has it figured out and stays in the warm spring waters where he's active year round doing his gator thing. Well, with more than 200 manatees encroaching on his living quarters during the winter, it's no surprise that some kind of interaction is bound to happen.
Volusia and his friends Pal and Duffy are curious young manatees. Not only do they love to cavort with each other, but they also like to find new playmates. And they aren't particular either! So when they came upon this gator, Volusia , Pal and Duffy agreed they had discovered something new to have fun with.
Now this old gator was just minding his own business resting on the sandy bottom of the spring run when Volusia and his friends decided to gather round and give him manatee hugs. Their only intention was to show some "love" and invite him to play.
Needless to say that gator was having nothing to do with those pesky youngsters. With a powerful thrust of his massive tail he sent Volusia , Pal and Duffy shooting through the water. Then off he went, lickity split, to find some solitude where mischievous manatees wouldn't bother him.
Next month: Volusia , Pal and Duffy explore the St. Johns River.
Photo: Volusia cruises along the Blue Spring run
Volusia's Adventures is an ongoing series of entertaining articles that illustrate typical manatee activities based on known behaviors and traits. Follow Volusia each month on his journey along the magnificent and historic St. Johns River to see what exciting situations he gets into.
New on iTunes
We just posted two brand new podcasts on iTunes ! The first features Ranger Wayne Hartley of Blue Spring State Park and Save the Manatee Club. He talked with us about the manatees at Blue Spring in Orange City and our own Volusia , a yearling manatee named after this wonderful county that we live in.
We also talked with Wayne Arnold, a co-founder and event coordinator with the DeLand Bike Rally , a popular event coming up in downtown DeLand on March 5. Now celebrating it's 7th year, this is always a fun, family-friendly kick-off to Daytona Beach Bike Week, attracting 70,000 people to DeLand!
Coming in early March, we'll post our interview with Naomi Nichols, marketing coordinator for the MainStreet DeLand Association, who is heading up the Florida Wildflower & Garden Festival . This spring we'll also be podcasting about Lyonia Environmental Learning Center and the Volusia County Cracker Day Rodeo . We invite you to subscribe to our podcast series today at iTunes !
Hot Deals & Packages
Bike Week 2011 Lodging Discounts - March 4-13
Looking for adventure? Well get your motor running and head out on our scenic highways and backroads! Your travels will be highlighted with picturesque parks and preserves, beautifully restored historic homes, cultural arts museums, neighborhood pubs and restaurants, and pristine natural beauty ~ with food and fun all along the way! Choose from several affordable hotels, campgrounds, riverfront resorts - even houseboat rentals!
More Deals ~ A West Volusia outdoor getaway makes a perfect gift for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. Check out our special Fishing and Golfing Escape Packages .
Featured Accommodations
Hotel/Motel: Holiday Inn Express, Orange City/Deltona - The Holiday Inn Express in Orange City/Deltona is conveniently located off I-4, giving travelers easy access to local attractions, businesses and airports. Complimentary amenities include WIFI, hot breakfast bar, a well-equipped fitness center and a screened outdoor pool and whirlpool. 386-917-0004 www.hiorangecityfl.com
Bed & Breakfast: DeLand Country Inn B&B, DeLand - The DeLand Country Inn is the only traditional bed and breakfast in DeLand. The historic inn is more than 130 years old, British owned and family operated. A free full English breakfast is included. Pets are usually welcome by prior arrangement. Located in downtown DeLand, guests may enjoy an easy walk to shops, restaurants and Stetson University. 386-736-4244 www.delandcountryinn.com
Riverfront: Blair's Jungle Den, Volusia/Astor - The Jungle Den is a peaceful riverfront motel located on the beautiful St. Johns River, providing access to one of the best bass fishing spots in the southern United States. Enjoy all of the comforts of home including cable TV, a full kitchen and maid service in the 1- or 2-bedroom efficiencies. The facility also caters to campers for short or long term rentals. 386-749-2264 www.blairsjungleden.com
Campground: Orange City RV Resort, Orange City - You'll be right at home at this charming RV resort that's quiet and secluded yet only 30 miles from Daytona area beaches and the Orlando attractions. Amenities include free wireless hotspots, a beautiful heated pool and spa, and mini golf. Shopping and restaurants are close by. 386-775-2545 www.orangecityrvresort.com
Featured March Events
It's wintertime here in West Volusia ~ but the promise of spring is just around the corner! Hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists will be cruising into the region for Bike Week starting March 4th, and the rest of the month is brimming with family-friendly festivals and activities. Below are a few highlights from our Calendar of Events . With so much happening, it's the perfect time to plan a vacation or weekend getaway and experience our charming, small-town Florida communities, unique shopping, delightful restaurants and affordable accommodations.
BIKE WEEK 2011
Mar. 4-13: 70th Annual Daytona Beach BIKE WEEK - Bike Week is a 10-day festival that stretches from Daytona Beach throughout Volusia County and beyond. Bike Week welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and is enjoyed by locals and motorcycle enthusiasts worldwide. There are hundreds of events for bikers to enjoy. Visit these websites for more information. www.officialbikeweek.com www.bikerbeach.com www.bikeweek.com
Mar. 4-13th: West Volusia's Bike Week Entertainment - Ride in and rock out at our local pubs and taverns, including Dale's Ales in Orange City, Crossroads Bar and OB's Lounge in DeLand, and Critter's Pub in DeBary. Check out their schedules and more at www.visitwestvolusia.com/bikeweekmusic .
Mar. 4-13: Bike Week Motorcycle Swap Meet Extravaganza, Volusia County Fairgrounds, DeLand - This gathering of buyers, sellers and vendors is one of the largest and oldest motorcycle swap meets. There will be plenty of good food, live entertainment and cold brews to keep the good times rolling. 386-801-1810 www.fastlanedaytona.com
Mar. 5: DeLand Bike Rally, Downtown DeLand - The DeLand Bike Rally is a festive, family-friendly kick-off to Daytona Beach's world famous Bike Week featuring a Pro-Am bike show with trophies and cash prizes, motorcycle drill team performances, vendors and exhibitors, live music, food, free parking and thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts gathering along the streets of historic downtown DeLand. 386-804-5286 www.delandbikerally.com
Mar. 9-11: Daytona Classic Motorcycle Swap Meet and Auction, Stetson University Edmunds Center, DeLand - Join thousands of enthusiasts from around the world for this popular annual classic motorcycle trade show and swap meet, featuring vendors, parts and memorabilia, a vintage motorcycle show and auction. Office: 805-646-9566 Cell: 805-798-1802 www.batorauctions.com
MORE GREAT EVENTS
Mar. 5: Paddle to Hontoon Island and Blue Spring, St. Johns River, DeLand - Explore a 9-mile loop on the St. Johns River , starting and ending near Lake Beresford. Paddle upstream to tour historic Hontoon Island, then continue to Blue Spring State Park for a walk up the spring run to look for manatees. Appropriate for intermediate paddlers. 386-454-0611 www.adventureoutpost.net
Mar. 5: Wags N' Whiskers Pet Festival, Keysville Dog Park, Deltona - Bring your families and four-legged friends out to this fun-filled festival and enjoy pet contests, activities and a clinic for animal vaccinations. 386-878-8900 www.deltonafl.gov
Mar. 5: 17th Annual Authors Book Fair, Hopkins Hall, Lake Helen - Twenty-six authors, including 16 from Volusia County, will sign, sell and discuss their books. 386-228-1152 www.volusialibrary.org
Mar. 11: Odell "Bluesman" Maxwell Concert, Gateway Center for the Arts, DeBary - Enjoy the sounds of Bluesman Maxwell as he puts down some good ole' fashioned delta blues. 386-668-5553 www.gatewaycenterforthearts.org
Mar. 13: DeLand Civil War Show and Sale, Volusia County Fairgrounds, DeLand - It's the first year for this new annual event, which will feature pre-1898 guns, swords, relics, militaria, artifacts, original and reproduction uniforms and clothing, books, prints, and other antiques and collectibles from the earliest times through the Spanish American War of 1898. Military personnel, law enforcement officers, reenactors in head to toe outfits, and children under 12 with parent get in free! 386-943-9537 www.delandcivilwarshow.com
Mar. 16: Safe in the Woods, Lyonia Environmental Learning Center, Deltona - Roger Fulton, a Florida master naturalist, will explain how to stay "found" in the woods, how to read trail markings, and what to do if you lose your way. He also will tell participants how to prepare for their outings and what to do if they encounter wildlife during this free program. 386-789-7207 www.lyoniapreserve.com
Mar. 19: Lemonade Lecture, DeBary Hall, DeBary - Join Kim Nelson who will present the conservation story of a lost map of Sanford. 386-668-3840 www.debaryhall.com
Mar. 25: Fourth Fridays, Downtown DeLand - Mark your calendars and meet your friends in downtown DeLand on the Fourth Friday of each month from 6 - 9 p.m. Enjoy groovy music as well as food, drinks, art and more in Artisan Alley. (386-450-0200 www.lovemynest.com ) Downtown merchants, art galleries and restaurants will also host a monthly art walk where visitors can stroll the boulevard viewing the artwork of local artists. A map and brochure will be available. (386-740-7777 www.tropicalsilks.com )
Mar. 25: Songwriter's Idol, Best Western, Deltona - Sing your heart out for a chance to win this American Idol-style competition hosted by Lloyd Marcus of the Deltona Arts and Historical Museum. First, second and third place winners will go on to compete in the finals in September. 386-473-1535 www.deltonaarts.com
Mar. 25 - Apr. 3: Wizard of Oz, Gateway Center for the Arts, DeBary - Bring the entire family to enjoy the timeless tale of Dorothy, Toto and their friends in the magical land of Oz. 386-668-5553 www.gatewaycenterforthearts.org
Mar. 26: Florida Wildflower and Garden Festival, Downtown DeLand - In addition to wildflower & gardening programs, this festival features vendors who will provide information, products, and arts and crafts related to general gardening, growing wildflowers, native plant gardening, gardening for birds, butterflies and wildlife, habitat creation, home improvement, environmental conservation, recycling and "Green" living. 386-738-0649 www.floridawildflowerfestival.com
Mar. 26-27: DeLand Outdoor Art Festival, Earl Brown Park, DeLand - Enjoy our wonderful spring weather at this outdoor art festival where hundreds of award winning artists gather. There will be fine crafts for sale, an antique car show, lots of food and live entertainment. Park once and take a free shuttle to the Wildflower Festival on the 26th. www.delandoutdoorartfest.com
Mar. 30: Night Hike at Lyonia Preserve, Deltona - This night hike titled "Hoot Goes There" will describe the lifestyles of common owls in Volusia County. 386-789-7207 www.lyoniapreserve.com
E - Gillespie Museum of Minerals, DeLand - The Gillespie Museum of Minerals is Stetson University's earth science museum. Its collection of 20,000 mineral, rock, and fossil specimens is one of the oldest and largest in the southeastern U.S. Exhibits include geology, native Florida ecosystems, minerals and mining, and fluorescent rocks. It is landscaped in native Florida plants, and the adjacent Rinker Environmental Learning Center provides opportunities for community gardening, environmental programming and outdoor activities. 386-822-7330 www.stetson.edu/gillespie
C - Legendary Florida Exhibition, Historic Volusia County Courthouse, DeLand - Watch four hundred years of Florida's rich history come alive before your eyes through artist Jackson Walker's exhibition, Legendary Florida , a collection of dynamic oil paintings on permanent display in the old courthouse courtesy of the Museum of Florida Art. The courthouse itself is a significant local landmark with its Neo-Classical architecture, fluted Corinthian columns, copper-clad dome and grand rotunda topped by a stained glass dome. 386-734-4371 www.museumoffloridaart.com
H - DeBary Hall Historic Site, DeBary -DeBary Hall was originally the 1871 hunting estate of New York wine importer Frederick deBary. This magnificent historic house has been beautifully restored with period furnishings, award-winning exhibits and interactive programs. Before your tour, view an orientation film in the Imagidome theater and visitor center. The site is also a trailhead for the Spring-to-Spring Trail. 386-668-3840 www.debaryhall.com
O - Spring Garden Ranch, DeLeon Springs - Spring Garden Ranch Training Center in DeLeon Springs is the largest Standardbred horse training facility in North America and winter home of many champion harness racing teams. On Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. through April, watch qualifying races and horse training from trackside. Enjoy breakfast or lunch while overlooking the track from the restaurant, open Wednesdays - Sundays 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. 386-985-5654 www.springgardenranch.com
STOP BY AND SEE US!!!
West Volusia Tourism Bureau & Visitor Center 116 W. New York Avenue, DeLand FL 32720 800-749-4350 386-734-0162 www.visitwestvolusia.com We also have a satellite visitor center at
DeBary Hall Historic Site 210 Sunrise Blvd., DeBary FL 32713 386-668-3840 386-736-5953 www.debaryhall.com | | |
