Went explorin' 🧐

And ended up on an aircraft carrier!

Hi, friends! It’s Brenda, back in your inbox for all the Central Florida Happenings.

This past weekend, I visited Charleston for a little getaway. And while I was there, I checked out the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, which includes the USS Yorktown (pictured above!).

Now, I love a history museum, so this one was even more of a treat when you got to explore the history of the aircraft carrier while physically walking through it. You definitely can spend hours here 🕰️.

If you’re ever in the Charleston area, I highly recommend heading out to this museum.

Anyway, let’s get into what’s happening here this weekend⤵️

The Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival is returning to Brevard County with exhibits and more for the nature enthusiasts 🦅.

The festival kicked off Wednesday and will run through the weekend.

Described as a “crash course of Florida’s wildlife,” the festival will showcase over 50 exhibits from “destination tour companies, wildlife and birding organizations, nature-based businesses, authors, photographers and painters.”

Click here to learn more and check out some field trips you can go on.

If you’re looking for a perfect time to check out the manatees, this Florida festival is it.

The Orange City Blue Spring Manatee Festival is back this weekend at Valentine Park, highlighting the sea cow and showcasing entertainment for the whole family.

There will also be a free shuttle to Blue Spring State Park, where you can see manatees. Manatees prefer warmer water and Blue Spring’s temperature stays at a constant 72 degrees, so you can bet they’ll be out because of this weekend’s weather 🥶.

Click here to learn more.

Ready for a Pigfest 🐽?

The 28th annual Lakeland Pigfest is firing up its grills again with food, friends, music and charity.

The barbecue festival features live music and entertainment, fun food competition and barbecue vending.

Click here to learn more 🤤.

Other happenings:

📖 Florida Storytelling Festival: Hear stories and participate in workshops at the Florida Storytelling Festival in Mount Dora. Click here to see the events and more.

🦦 Otter Fest: This craft beer and wine festival at Wekiva Island features dozens of breweries to enjoy for a few hours on Saturday. Click here for tickets.

🗡️ Brevard Renaissance Fair : The Brevard Renaissance Fair kicked off last week and is continuing with themed weekends of fun throughout the month. Here’s everything to know.

🎨 New Smyrna Beach Festival of the Arts: Check out the work of over 250 artists, enjoy food trucks and live entertainment at this year’s IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts. Click here to learn more and to see the hours.

That’s all from me!

Hope everyone has a great weekend, and I will catch up with you all next week.

- Brenda