Local Events
Spring – usually March
SeaFest
The premier event on the Space Coast and
recognized as one of the “top twenty festivals in the Southeast” by the
Southeast Tourism Society is known solely as “SeaFest”. This annual event
attracts over 50,000 people from throughout the country. Held at Port Canaveral
each March, guests are treated to delicious seafood, midway rides and games,
unique exhibits and attractions, plus nonstop entertainment featuring national
and local acts.
Admission Charged
Chowder Cook-Off
As the kick-off to SeaFest, Chowder Cookoff
brings together the finest chefs in the area, each competing for the title of
“Best Chowder in Brevard”. Thousands of people attend this event to sample the
chowders, as well as other delicious samplings. Entertainment is provided.
Wildlife
Events Calendar
At the
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
This calendar is to provide visitors with a
general guide to seasonal wildlife events.
Weather may cause variations of one or two weeks.
January
Waterfowl
concentrations peak with blue-winged teal, widgeon, shoveler and scaup being the
most common. Bald eagles are incubating their eggs. Large numbers of songbirds,
including tree swallows and yellow-rumped warblers, may be seen moving through
the refuge.
February
Various
raptors such as red-tailed hawks, red-shouldered hawks, ospreys, merlins and
American kestrels can be seen hunting for food. Another raptor, the American
bald eagle, is actively feeding its young. Warmer days through the winter months
offer a good opportunity to see alligators basking in the sun.
March
Most waterfowl have returned to their northern
breeding grounds except for northern shoveler and blue-winged teal, which are in
full breeding plumage. Northbound migration is in full swing for warblers. Wood
storks begin nesting. Egrets and herons are in breeding plumage. Bald eagle
young are taking their first flights from the nest. Ospreys begin nesting.
April
Manatee peak population occurs in the waters of
the refuge and Indian River Lagoon. Northbound migration of willets, sandpipers,
plovers, greater and lesser yellowlegs, dunlins and many other shorebirds can be
observed. Black-necked stilts return for their summer visits.
May
Loggerhead sea turtles begin nesting. Anhingas,
little blue herons, cattle egrets, great egrets, snowy egrets, tri-colored
herons and other residential colonial nesting birds are busy in the rookeries.
Eagles usually leave for the summer.
June
Alligators become more secretive as temperatures
increase and breeding activity begins. Rainy season weather patterns begin -
thunderstorms are quite frequent with hot, muggy afternoons. This weather
pattern continues through September. Rainy weather and insects make preparation
for visiting during the summer months a must.
July
Many resident bird species are abundant. They
include common moorhens, boat-tailed grackles, red-winged blackbirds, fish
crows, scrub jays, pileated woodpeckers, mottled ducks, barred owls and
double-crested commorants. Sea turtle nesting reaches peak.
August
Young residential birds are dispersing throughout
the refuge after leaving their nests. Many of the early arriving shorebirds
begin to appear. These include common terns, caspian terns, royal terns, ruddy
turnstones and sanderlings.
September
The early migration of blue-winged teal may be
observed. Black skimmers become abundant. Bald eagles return to the refuge for
the winter months.
October
With the return of cooler temperatures, the first
major influx of migratory birds occurs. Included are many puddle ducks such as
northern shovelers, American wigeons and pintails. The first wave of birds
includes shorebirds, songbirds and raptors.
November
The cool, sunny days of early winter provide
great opportunities for walking refuge trails. Peregrine falcons can be seen
migrating along the coast line. White pelicans begin to arrive after their long
migration.
December
Local Audubon affiliates conduct the annual
Christmas bird count. Many rails spend the winter months on the refuge. These
include king rails, clapper rails, Virginia rails and soras. Winter
concentrations of shorebirds, wading birds, waterfowl and raptors are nearing
their peak
Entertainment
Theatres
Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse
300 Brevard Ave.
Cocoa Beach, FL
321-636-5050
Call for days and hours of operation
Admission Charged
This 500-seat facility offers performing arts series featuring community
performers and professional entertainers. The "Stars of Tomorrow" drama troupe
provides a children's performing arts series each season with summer
performances for young audiences. Built in 1924 and listed in the National
Register of Historical Places.
Henegar Center for the Arts
625 E. New Haven Ave.
Melbourne, FL
321-723-8698
Call for days and hours of operation
Admission Charged
Proscenium style theatre featuring
state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. The historical treasure of
generations past is now a vibrant center for the arts. Art exhibits are
presented in the lobby gallery.
Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts
3865 N. Wickham Rd.
Melbourne, FL
321-242-2219
Admission Charged
2,000-seat performing arts center offering the
finest in entertainers, Broadway, dance, opera, classical, popular and
children's theatre. Art exhibits are featured monthly in the lobby gallery.
Phoenix Threater
817 E. Strawbridge
Melbourne, FL
321-952-7192
Call for specific schedule
Admission Charged
This highly acclaimed, semi-professional theater presents dramas, adult comedies
and an annual musical. Located at Surfside Playhouse, this facility offers
exciting live community theatre including a mix of comedy, drama and musicals,
providing the community with training for backstage, technical and make-up
skills. The Surfside Playhouse is a 289-seat theater serving Brevard County
since 1959.
Titusville Playhouse at Emma Parrish Theatre
301 Julia St.
Titusville, FL
321-268-3711
Admission Charged
A community theatre producing quality drama,
comedy and musicals. Also home of "Emma's Attic," a small, alternative theatre
experience. The Rising Stars Children's Theatre stages productions throughout
the year.
Call for specific schedule
Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse
300 Brevard Ave., Cocoa
321-636-5050
Admission Free to View, Charge for Performance
This 500-seat facility offers performing arts
series featuring community performers and professional entertainers. The "Stars
of Tomorrow" drama troupe provides a children's performing arts series each
season with summer performances for young audiences. Built in 1924 and listed in
the National Register of Historical Places.
Call for days and hours of operation
Henegar Center for the Arts
625 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne
321-723-8698
Admission Charged
Proscenium style theatre featuring
state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. The historical treasure of
generations past is now a vibrant center for the arts. Art exhibits are
presented in the lobby gallery.
Call for days and hours of operation
Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts
3865 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne
321-242-2219
Admission Free to View, Charge for Performances
2,000-seat performing arts center offering the
finest in entertainers, Broadway, dance, opera, classical, popular and
children's theatre. Art exhibits are featured monthly in the lobby gallery.
Call for days and hours of operation
Sports
Florida Marlins Spring Training Headquarters
5850 Stadium Pkwy.
Melbourne, FL
321-633-9200
Admission Charged
In February and March, baseball's Florida Marlins
of the National League train at Space Coast Stadium. During the spring and
summer, the Marlins' Florida State League franchise, the Brevard County
Manatees, play at the stadium.
Call for schedule and hours
The Savannahs at Sykes Creek
3915 Savannah Trail
Merritt Island
321-455-1375
Admission Charged
Public; 72-par; 18 holes; 6,636 yards
Call for tee times
Turtle Creek Golf Club
1278 Admiralty Blvd.
Rockledge
321-632-2520
Admission Charged
Public; 72-par; 18holes; 6,686 yards
Call for tee times
