Manatee viewing center throws itself a party
By LOIS KINDLE
March 16 was a big day for the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center, when it hosted its 30th Anniversary Celebration and celebrated with more than 6,500 visitors.
The nature-filled attraction also commemorated the late-February passing of 5 million visitors.
“There’s no way for us to pinpoint the exact person,” said senior environmental technician Jamie Woodlee, the center’s operations manager. “We determine attendance by car count, bus and shuttle count and walkers from our overflow parking.”
TECO officials were pleased with the turnout.
“This is a great day,” said Paul Carpinone, TECO’s director of environmental health and safety. “We couldn’t have asked for better weather,” he added, acknowledging the chilly temps brought lots of manatees into the adjacent warm water discharge canal. And what a great crowd.
South Shore Marauders’ wenches greeted visitors and handed out special commemorative beads. The festivities included arts and crafts for the kids, free popcorn, bracelets and pens, treasure hunts and photo ops with Molly the Manatee and the Florida Aquarium’s Tango the Turtle.
Visitors also enjoyed the Stingrays Touch Tank, boardwalk and nature trails, observation tower, education center, butterfly garden and, of course, the manatees.