Monroe County Public Information Officer Kristen Livengood joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on in the county.
Monroe County is inviting residents and visitors to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a day of family activities, music and outdoor recreation at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
The America 250 Florida Keys Pennekamp Paddle Day will take place Saturday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Key Largo state park.
Monroe County, Friends of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council are partnering on the event.
Admission to the park will be free that day, thanks to the Florida State Park system waiving entrance fees.
The celebration will include a red, white and blue paddleboard and kayak parade through the park’s mangrove trail. Paddleboards and kayaks will be available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis, although participants may also bring their own equipment.
Glass-bottom boat and snorkeling excursions will also be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Livengood said the event is designed to give both residents and visitors an opportunity to enjoy one of the Florida Keys’ most recognizable natural resources.
“We’re hoping that residents and visitors that are here are really going to take advantage of being able to go over to the park and enjoy what we have in our backyard,” Livengood said.
The celebration will also feature live entertainment, food and activities for children and adults. The Coral Shores High School marching band is expected to help kick off the event, while local musicians will provide entertainment throughout the day.
Food will include hot dogs, chips and chocolate-dipped key lime pie.
Local environmental organizations and nonprofit groups from the Upper Keys will also participate, offering interactive activities, including touch tanks and educational opportunities.
Livengood said the event grew out of the success of Monroe County’s 200th anniversary celebrations and a paddleboard proclamation issued earlier this year.
Organizers initially considered holding the event at Rowell’s Waterfront Park in Key Largo, but construction there led them to look for another location.
The Friends of John Pennekamp organization embraced the idea of hosting the celebration at the state park.
“Being able to really use one of our state parks that are right in our backyard is just going to be such a great day,” Livengood said.
The event is being funded through unanticipated funds from the Tourist Development Council, Livengood said, rather than new tax dollars.
The county is also continuing its efforts to clean up conservation lands in the Upper Keys.
Livengood highlighted a recent cleanup partnership between the Monroe County Land Authority and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office that removed another 6,440 pounds of debris from conservation lands in Key Largo.
The latest cleanup brings the cumulative amount of debris removed from Upper Keys conservation lands through the partnership to approximately 32,900 tons, according to the county.
Monroe County Solid Waste assists with removing bulk items collected during the cleanups.
Livengood said the monthly effort is particularly important because of the sensitivity of the conservation areas and the wildlife that depends on them.
“These lands are so sensitive,” she said, noting the importance of protecting endangered species found in the Upper Keys.
Monroe County Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein was also recently appointed chair of the Florida Association of Counties Water and Environmental Policy Committee. Raschein has served on the committee since 2021.
Looking ahead, Livengood is encouraging residents to save another date on their calendars.
Monroe County is planning an America 250 sunset celebration on the Old Seven Mile Bridge Saturday, Oct. 10.
The event is modeled after a popular celebration held on the bridge during Monroe County’s 200th anniversary.
Livengood said hundreds of people attended that event, which featured an iconic group photo of participants raising a toast on the historic bridge.
The October celebration is expected to include food prepared by the Marathon High School culinary team, fresh fruit juices from Grimal Grove and live music from local musician Pierce Augustine.
Livengood also said the county is working with Naval Air Station Key West in hopes of arranging a military flyover during the celebration.
“It is just a really, really fun time,” Livengood said.
For now, the next event on the calendar is Pennekamp Paddle Day on Sept. 12, offering residents and visitors a free opportunity to enjoy the park, get out on the water and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States in true Florida Keys fashion.