Southport Magazine

The evidence of a mother Loggerhead sea turtle coming to shore is the marks she leaves behind in the sand. Photo courtesy of the U.S. National Park Service.

What: First Crawl Environmental Festival
When: Saturday, May 17th
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Middleton Park
4601 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island
Cost: FREE
Info: www.oakislandnc.com
(910) 278-5518

Designed to raise awareness about the Oak Island Sea Turtle Protection Program and our area’s rich coastal habitat, the island’s annual First Crawl Environmental Festival is a symbol of the beginning of sea turtle season, says Christy Ferguson, Recreation Program Supervisor for the Town of Oak Island.

The nesting season starts in May, when turtle moms crawl upon the shore to lay their eggs. Through October, volunteer groups patrol the beaches in search of nests in order to protect the infants of the endangered species from harm. When hatching occurs 50 to 70 days after incubation, the groups are there to help guide the baby turtles to the sea; since turtles follow the light of the moon to the water, they can sometimes be confused by the lights of the homes and businesses on the island. Last year Oak Island monitored 93 turtle nests, according to Ferguson.

The First Crawl Environmental Festival will be held on Oak Island at Middleton Park on Saturday, May 17th from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Middleton Park. The festival features educational booths, including information on Oak Island’s  Sea Turtle Protection Program, marine rescue, and bird life.There will be arts and crafts booths, food vendors and games and inflatables for kids.

Live outdoor music will begin with Dylan Alexander from 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and will continue with the Cosmic Duo from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Both artists play a variety of music from oldies to current favorites.

In addition to the activities in the park, the First Crawl Environmental Festival provides an opportunity to become involved by participation in the Turtle Triathlon Race. The relay race begins on festival day at 8 a.m. behind the Recreation Center at 3003 East Oak Island Drive. The first team member will launch off in a kayak or canoe in Davis Canal and paddle to the 9th Street SE access dock, met by the second team member, who will bicycle over Middleton Bridge, down Dolphin Drive to 29th Street. There, the third team member will run to the finish line at Middleton Park.

The whole race averages about 5.5 miles. Division awards will be given out at the festival bandstand around 10:30 a.m. Division awards will include age, family and business. Also, there will be a special contest for the team best dressed in sea turtle or environmental themed costume.

The registration fee for the relay race is $45 per team before May 9th and $55 per team after May 9th. The first 30 teams will receive a T-shirt.

The First Crawl Environmental Festival is sponsored by the Oak Island Parks and Recreation Department, which anticipated co-sponsors not finalized by press time. For more information, call Christy Ferguson at (910) 278-5518 or check out the Parks and Recreation Department online at www.oakislandnc.com.