The 20th Annual J.N. “Ding” Darling Days will take place Oct. 18-24, 2009, and this year’s theme is “Let’s Go Outside!” All the fun begins at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. This event is not only fun, it’s filled with family-sized savings.

 

The 20th Annual “Ding” Darling Days celebrates the birthday of the refuge’s namesake, father of the Duck Stamp program and Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Jay N. “Ding” Darling.

 

The Ding Darling Refuge is one of the top five most visited wildlife refuges in the entire country! If you’ve never been to this birding and eco-festival, I encourage you to go.

 

The weeklong celebration kicks off Sunday, Oct. 18, with Family Fun Day where you can enjoy refuge tram tours, live wildlife presentations, hot dogs, a touch tank and butterfly house, and kids’ nature crafts – ALL FOR FREE! And you can partake in events around Sanibel all week such as photography workshops and lectures – plus take advantage of free and discounted birding, biking, kayaking and sea-life boat tours.

 

‘Art Through Conservation Day’ winds up the celebration on Saturday, Oct. 24 with visits from Federal Duck Stamp winners and a nature cartoonist, children’s author and art teacher.

 

Don’t miss this wonderful weeklong event! Visit the website for updates or to sign up for a weekly bulletin. You can also give them a call at 239-472-1100.

 

One more bonus - the Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa has some great deals going on, so be sure to check out their specials.

 

Jill Martin, Family Insider, VISIT FLORIDA