Florida Manatee Festival (January)

This perennially favorite event is co-produced by the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce and Rotary of Crystal River and encompasses both sides of Citrus Ave. from the Waterfront at Third Street across US 19 to Crystal Street and surrounding areas. The Florida Manatee Festival attracts over 20,000 people during the two days and has consistently been awarded the “Best of the Best” by readers of the Citrus County Chronicle for many years. In celebration of its namesake Manatees, festival goers will have the chance to board free bus tours to Three Sisters Springs. The tours that will run continuously during the Festival are conducted in cooperation with the City of Crystal River with support from the Friends of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. For a closer look at the manatees in their natural settings, Manatee Boat Tours will be available from the City Pier at the end of Third Street for a nominal charge that will take you out into Kings Bay and other favorite hangouts of the manatees. Musical entertainment will ROCK the Waterfront Stage as the Festival welcomes exciting new singer/songwriters who are gathering accolades worldwide as up-and-coming stars in the indie music scene. These artists' styles range from rock, pop, folk, blues and country. Local favorites will also hit the stage. Children’s activities will make the grounds around Heritage Village come alive with sounds of happiness and delight. Great games, activities and education information will keep your children (accompanied by an adult) thoroughly entertained. There will also be a Rock Climbing Wall, bounce house, pony rides and much more. Fine arts and craft artists, two food courts serving everything from seafood to BBQ and everything in between, and lots of opportunities to interact with local non-profit organizations and commercial businesses will round out the offerings for this event.