First Night in St Petersburg

Celebrate the new year in style by visiting St. Petersburg as the city rings in the New Year with music, lights, dance, fire, bubbles, stories, creative fun, fireworks and much more!

Spend New Year's Eve around downtown with First Night St. Petersburg 2009 – Florida's largest First Night Celebration. Stroll the waterfront and throughout downtown to sample the festivities in lots of special places. Sample the arts and culture with family, friends and fireworks.

First Night St. Petersburg celebrates its 16th Annual New Year's Eve celebration of the arts from 5:00 p.m. to midnight at multiple venues in downtown St. Petersburg. Family-oriented festivities with music stages, entertainment, drama, dance, games, art, fireworks and more.

First Night St. Petersburg started in 1993, led by a group of citizens interested in creating a diverse community event for St. Petersburg. The intent of First Night is to provide an opportunity for St. Petersburg to celebrate entering the New Year together and to celebrate the many performing and visual arts, individuals and organizations in the community – as well as the artist in all of us.

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Seminole Battle Reenactment Florida

The Seminole Tribe of Florida will present a reenactment of the Second Seminole War at the Big Cypress Shootout at Billie Swamp Safari located between Fort Lauderdale and Naples, on the Big Cypress Reservation just north of I-75 (Alligator Alley) Exit 49.

The battle reenactments honor the Seminole’s struggle and sacrifice to remain in their homeland and will feature authentic weapons, soldier and warrior attire and tactics typical of the Second Seminole War. Your holiday in Florida would not be complete without a trip to this magnificent three day event. It includes music, Seminole food, Seminole and pioneer artisans, tomahawk throws, primitive archery competition, authentic Seminole and soldier camps, venomous snake shows and alligator wrestling.

“Period settlers” from around the country will hew wood, iron and silver crafts and depict trading techniques from the Seminole war era. Musical guests include: Okefenokee Joe, Benjamin Dehart (The Cracker Tenor) and Cowbone.

The reenactment takes place on Friday, February 27 through Sunday, March 1, 2009 at Billie Swamp Safari, located between Fort Lauderdale and Naples, on the Big Cypress Reservation just north of I-75 (Alligator Alley) Exit 49. The battle reenactments will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

In the 1800s, a total of three wars were fought by the U.S. military against the Seminoles. These campaigns were the longest, costliest, and bloodiest of all the Indian wars. Although many Seminoles were killed or removed to present-day Oklahoma, they were never defeated, and to this day, more than 3,000 Seminoles are known as “The Unconquered” Seminole Tribe of Florida.

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Pier Aquarium at St Petersburg

The Pier Aquarium is a private, non-profit aquarium and marine education science center located in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida at The Pier on the waterfront. It is a really fun way to enjoy a day-out during your Holiday in St Petersburg.

Discover the fun, interactive “Fresh Fish Theatre” featuring live creatures from Tampa Bay and around the world. The action- and drama – never stops with a daily 1-4pm Touch Tank Experience and 3pm fish feeding. Students, teachers and visitors can experience the marine environment up close and personal through the innovative award-winning education programs on land and at sea.

Learn first hand from marine scientists about the fish and their habitats. See a video about Florida Red Tide. Hear the sounds in the sea through the mobile hydrophone installed underneath The Pier.

A hands-on discovery program will help you to understand the oceans, research and technology around the globe …and in Florida's own backyard – Tampa Bay!

Live "performances" in the Fresh Fish Theatre start at 1-4pm every day with Aquarium touch tank activities including "official" fish feeding at 3pm! On the second floor Aquarium, you can watch - and participate - in the action.

Help feed the fish and sharks and play a part as "An Official Fish Feeder!". Fish Feeders receive a certificate for their animal care assistance. Not only do they feed the fish, they learn up-close and personal some of the responsibilities and duties shared by Scientific Staff.

A recent addition to the daily program is the Wednesday "Celebrity Critter of the Week" scheduled from 1-3:30pm Get an up-close look at a featured critter, create a make-and-take craft project and the 3pm story time. Featured critters have included: hermit crabs, sea stars, horseshoe crab, sea snails and sea squirts. Adults are invited to participate.

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