Celebrate the first American-born Naturalist, William Bartram, at the 14th Annual Bartram Bash on Saturday, April 14th. This family-friendly event will feature “Skin & Bones” performing a live Old Florida Hoedown, music by Tommy Bledsoe, educational booths, kid’s games and activities, yoga in the park, Stetson Kennedy Award presentations, a William Bartram reenactor, and an 8 a.m. bird walk with St. Johns County Audubon President, Jean Rolke.  This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

William Bartram (1739-1823) was America’s first native-born naturalist. Along with his father John, who was appointed the King’s Botanist, the two explored along the St. Marys and St. Johns Rivers in 1776. William later returned to Florida and established a plantation along the east side of the St. Johns River in Florence Cove. Honoring William’s love of nature and April birthday, the annual Bartram Bash was created and held at Alpine Groves Park. The 55-acre St. Johns County Park was part of the 1770’s plantation of Swiss immigrant Frances Philip Fatio. Today, the park features an outdoor pavilion, playground, picnic tables, fishing pier, historic structures from the 1800s, butterfly gardens, kayak launch, and paved nature trails.

“Nature has been my teacher, and I have followed its path with an open heart to learn its wonders.” ~ William Bartram

For more information, contact AyoLane Halusky at 904-209-348 or ahalusky@sjcfl.us

PHOTO CREDIT: Please credit all photos to St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department.