Light Up the Night

Greetings Explorers,

The Blue Spring Firefly event has been scheduled
This year, weather permitting, we will meet in the early evening on Saturday, March 26. Ticket sales will begin at 6pm at the gate. If you come before 6:00 to look for the manatees, you should be able to buy your ticket outside the Thursby House with cash.

Look for us in the picnic area close to parking and within sight of the Thursby House and bathrooms. Eat in advance or bring a snack and drink. As the sun sets at twilight, volunteers will guide park visitors along the boardwalk by the river to witness nature's spectacular display. You will likely see three different species of fireflies that will gradually emerge as the sky grows darker. The park will remain open until 9:00pm for this special event. If you are one of those special people who are able to attract UFOs, feel free – that would make the special night even more special.

I hope that you can join us. March 26 is the only night that Explorers plan to meet at the park, but if you miss our gathering, the park Firefly Event will continue every night until April 3.
-Steve
Here are the park rules for the 2022 event:

LIGHTS AT NIGHT FIREFLY EVENT
Blue Spring State Park –
2100 W French Ave, 2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL
Duration: 3 hr, 6 - 9pm
This is a limited capacity event. NO RESERVATIONS. Visitors will be admitted on a 1st come, 1st serve basis. Once capacity is reached, or when the ranger station closes (8pm) no other visitors will be admitted.
Park Fee: $2 pedestrians and bicycles
$4 single occupant vehicle
$6 vehicle with 2-8 occupants
Firefly Donation: $10 per vehicle
Ticket sales will begin at 6pm on the day of the event inside the park. Please try to arrive at the park by 7pm. (but come earlier for the best chance to get in due to limited attendance)
All visitors must have an After-Hours Permit to attend this event.
NO FLASHLIGHTS OR FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY
NO BUG SPRAY
NO CAPTURING FIREFLIES
For updates, please contact the Ranger Station at 386-775-3663
The event may be postponed due to inclement weather.
Sponsored by the Friends of Blue Spring State Park

https://www.facebook.com/events/264864732506473/264864765839803/?ref=newsfeed

What are fireflies?

Florida has just about every kind of insect that stings, bites, chews, crawls and flies -- except fireflies.
Missing from the galaxy of Central Florida insects is the one most coveted by kids with jars and most romanticized by adults. An open field of fireflies is magical, a ground-level version of the stars up above. The twinkling, flashing, blinking, near-dusk mating ritual of the firefly marks the advent of summer in neighborhoods across America. But not in Central Florida.

Fireflies have mostly abandoned Florida even though at one time the state had 20 different species of lightning bugs — more than any other state; But wait . . . there is still a firefly season. It's at Blue Spring State Park, located 35 miles north of Orlando in Orange City. This year, park rangers predict that the seasonal firefly mating ritual will start around March 19 through the first weekend of April, maybe longer. To allow visitors to enjoy this phenomenon, the park allows visitors to stay after the traditional sunset closing time to see “Mother Nature’s light show”.

Blue Spring State Park
2100 West French Ave., Orange City, FL 32763
386-775-3663

If the event is canceled due to weather, we will reschedule,

Be Well, Stay Safe,

Steve,
Explorers Organizer

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