Gumbo Limbo's 'GumboFest' Oct. 20 at Red Reef Park

A unique fundraiser that will benefit Boca Raton’a popular barrier island Gumbo Limbo Nature Center will feature gumbo soup, music and an assortment of beverages.

The inaugural GumboFest will run from noon until 6 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 20 just south of Gumbo Limbo Nature Center at Red Reef Park (Intracoastal side) – 1400 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton.

As expected, the main course for the day will be gumbo soup from an assortment of chefs.

A preliminary list of restaurants/businesses scheduled to compete for the “Grand Gumbo Master of South Florida” crown include: 4Ocean, Boca Resort and Beach Club, E&M Catering, Funky Buddha Brewery, JM Family, Publix Aprons, Saltwater Brewery and  TLC Animal Hospital.

To wash all that gumbo down, Funky Buddha Brewery’s draft van will serve beer and St. Augustine Distillery will offer a gin and hibiscus spritz – to those 21 and over. Non-alcoholic drinks will also be available.

To top it off, live music will entertain – with games provided for children.

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center was founded in 1984 and is a cooperative project between the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District, City of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University and Friends of Gumbo Limbo.

With a mission statement of ‘To inspire stewardship of coastal and marine ecosystems,” Gumbo Limbo takes a keen interest in sea turtle conservation. Monitoring more than 800 nests a year, Gumbo Limbo plays a lead role in the release of thousands of sea turtle hatchlings each season.

More than 200,000 visitors a year are entertained by the aquariums/tanks, boardwalk, butterfly garden, sea turtle rehabilitation facility, gift shop other center features.

IF YOU GO

WHO: Benefits Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, 1801 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, noon-4 p.m.)

WHAT: Inaugural GumboFest

WHERE: Red Reef Park, 1400 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton, FL

WHEN: Noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20

ADVANCE TICKETS: VIP ($50-75), Friends ($17.50), Adult ($20-25), Children under 12 ($5) – until Oct. 13. Includes parking and at least one Gumbo Buck.

INFORMATION: (Phone) 561.544.8608, (Email) brandon@gumbolimbo.org

WEBSITE: gumbolimbo.org

DID YOU KNOW: More than 5,000 coastal/marine ecology school students visit Gumbo Limbo each year

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