arts & entertainment

The Environmental Learning Center is hosting its signature LagoonFest Saturday, April 1^st on the campus from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. LagoonFest environmental partner non-profits and organizations will offer interactive and fun environmental and nature learning activities. There is no admission fee for LagoonFest this year, access to the campus is free all day.  Canoe Quick Trips are $5 and 45-minute Pontoon Boat Rides are available for $15.   Time slot reservations can be made on-site the day of the event. Eco-friendly exhibitors and vendors will be set up on the grass lawn area in front of the Thomas R. Schidel Education and Event Pavilion.  LagoonFest is a day of activities in all areas of the ELC’s campus.

     LagoonFest guests can experience the Touch Tank in the Discovery Station. Storytelling by local children’s authors; Margaret Livermore, Diane Morgan and Camy De Mario are on the schedule. The ELC will have environmentally friendly crafts for all ages. Pond dip netting is available for everyone who wants to get their feet wet and explore life in the Indian River Lagoon.  Joe-Rassic Park Wildlife Refuge will be onsite at Mardi’s Hut with a reptile demonstration.   Treasure Coast Percussion will offer two Drum Circles in Centerfield. Dr. Katie Nall Has a Qigong demonstration.  Riverside Children’s Theatre is performing highlights from their production of Suessical.  Swingsation’s Studio and Entertainment will provide music and there will be food and beverages available all day long.

For vendor applications or a sponsor package, please call the Environmental Learning Center at

772 589-5050. 

LagoonFest 2023 Schedule of Events

10:00 AM-3:00 PM     Vendors and Activities -The Oval

10:00 AM-12:00 PM    Touch Tank is open in Discovery Station

10:30 AM-2:30 PM     Crafts-Under the Discovery Station

10:30 AM-1:30 PM    Storytime and Crafts with Author Camy De Mario-Tidal Gallery    

10:30 AM-1:30 PM    Reptile Demonstration with Joe-Rassic Park-Mardi’s Hut

10:30 AM-2:30 PM     Pond Dip Netting-Pond Area                     

10:30 AM-2:30 PM     Canoe Quick Trips-Canoe Dock-Purchase Tickets at the Oval                     

10:15 AM-2:45 PM     Pontoon Quick Trips-Pontoon Dock-Purchase Tickets at the Oval             

10:00 AM-12:00 PM    Storytime-Author Margaret Livermore-Manatees-Lagoon Room    

11:30 AM-12:00 PM  Drum Circle with Treasure Coast Percussion-Centerfield   

12:30 PM-1:00 PM     Drum Circle with Treasure Coast Percussion-Centerfield

12:30 PM-2:30 PM     Storytime-Author Diane Morgan-Animals of the Indian River –Lagoon Room          

1:00 PM-3:00 PM      Touch Tank is open in the Discovery Station

2:00 PM-2:15 PM       Qigong Demo with Katie Nall

2:00 PM-2:30 PM       Riverside Children’s Theatre Suessical Performance

For more information, call 772 589 5050 or email info@DiscoverELC.org

The Environmental Learning Center is a 64-acre island nature park surrounded by the Indian River Lagoon.    The ELC is open seven days a week and located at the western foot of the Wabasso Bridge in Indian River County. The nonprofit nature center is a destination for water activities, walking trails, and wellness programs. With a mission to educate, inspire and empower all people to be active stewards of the environment and their own well-being, the ELC is committed to sharing the importance of protecting and restoring our natural resources.