The Hidden Coast Paddling Festival has become a celebrated event along our Gulf communities and Cedar Key is in line to host the fourth annual festival October 4-6. After the community of Suwannee made a smashing success of the 2012 Hidden Coast Paddling Festival with a theme of `Celebrate Wildlife in the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge` everyone wants in. The proof was in the initial planning meeting. Willing partners filled the meeting room at the FWC Senator George Kirkpatrick Marine Lab - from government agencies and local businesses, to people with a passion for paddling and outdoor enthusiasts -- your neighbors. Each and every one hopes to entice eager paddlers to the culturally and environmentally-rich paddling venue of historic Cedar Key and the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Liz Sparks, Recreation Planner, facilitated the meeting. Armed with her Wildlife-focused Festival Planning Toolkit, which lists all necessary steps in planning, among others: logistics, promotions, sponsors, tour guides, vendors, entertainment, and most important, volunteers, the festival began to take on form. Focusing on wildlife as last year`s festival did can help increase sustainable tourism as gleaned from the 2012 SCORP (State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan) which reveals that wildlife viewing is the second most popular outdoor activity for visitors to Florida (visiting the beach is number one). Wildlife viewing is a major component of tourism revenue and brings an estimated 3 billion dollars annually to Florida`s economy. The vast public lands along the Big Bend coast sustain abundant species of wildlife and holding a wildlife-focused festival is a responsible way to entice visitors and benefit local communities. To continue the success of the annual festival the group of volunteer partners are looking for more individuals like themselves who want to bring fame, friendly folks, and a flotilla of kayaks to the Old-Florida-flavored fishing village October . Do you have expertise, interest, or experience that might add to the success of the 2013 Hidden Coast Paddling Festival? A few hours of your time a month until the festival comes to town would help immensely. The next planning meeting is March 27th from 9:30 until 11:30 at the FWC Marine Lab in Cedar Key. If you`re able to help the community effort in any way, call Pam at 352/493-0238, x223. | 
