2018
December 2018
Sunday 9 December 2018
Sun 9 Dec, 6-8:30 pm. Experience the magic of the holiday season during the annual Nights of Lights at Fort Cooper State Park. The park will be decorated in its holiday finest.
This year’s Nights of Lights will be held on December 7, 8 & 9, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. The walkways, trees, pavilion and recreation hall are decked out with thousands of lights and lots of holiday decorations. Santa and Mrs. Claus will welcome children each night in the recreation hall. Visitors can roast marshmallows and create their own s’mores at a BBQ pit supervised by volunteers from the Friends of Fort Cooper. Enjoy some refreshments which are served in the pavilion as you listen to the holiday music.
In lieu of an entrance fee, visitors are asked to bring a non-perishable food item or toy for the Citrus United Basket of Inverness or pet food for the Citrus County Animal services. Last year, over 2,700 people attended this popular event and provided over a ton of gro ... Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 South Old Floral City Road, Inverness, 34450. 904-726-0315. Fort Cooper State Park - [more][thefriendsoffortcooper][email][events]
Saturday 8 December 2018
Sat 8 Dec, 6-8:30 pm. Experience the magic of the holiday season during the annual Nights of Lights at Fort Cooper State Park. The park will be decorated in its holiday finest.
This year’s Nights of Lights will be held on December 7, 8 & 9, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. The walkways, trees, pavilion and recreation hall are decked out with thousands of lights and lots of holiday decorations. Santa and Mrs. Claus will welcome children each night in the recreation hall. Visitors can roast marshmallows and create their own s’mores at a BBQ pit supervised by volunteers from the Friends of Fort Cooper. Enjoy some refreshments which are served in the pavilion as you listen to the holiday music.
In lieu of an entrance fee, visitors are asked to bring a non-perishable food item or toy for the Citrus United Basket of Inverness or pet food for the Citrus County Animal services. Last year, over 2,700 people attended this popular event and provided over a ton of gro ... Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 South Old Floral City Road, Inverness, 34450. 904-726-0315. Fort Cooper State Park - [more][thefriendsoffortcooper][email][events]
Friday 7 December 2018
Fri 7 Dec, 6-8:30 pm. Experience the magic of the holiday season during the annual Nights of Lights at Fort Cooper State Park. The park will be decorated in its holiday finest.
This year’s Nights of Lights will be held on December 7, 8 & 9, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. The walkways, trees, pavilion and recreation hall are decked out with thousands of lights and lots of holiday decorations. Santa and Mrs. Claus will welcome children each night in the recreation hall. Visitors can roast marshmallows and create their own s’mores at a BBQ pit supervised by volunteers from the Friends of Fort Cooper. Enjoy some refreshments which are served in the pavilion as you listen to the holiday music.
In lieu of an entrance fee, visitors are asked to bring a non-perishable food item or toy for the Citrus United Basket of Inverness or pet food for the Citrus County Animal services. Last year, over 2,700 people attended this popular event and provided over a ton of gro ... Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 South Old Floral City Road, Inverness, 34450. 904-726-0315. Fort Cooper State Park - [more][thefriendsoffortcooper][email][events]
May 2018
Thursday 10 May 2018
Thu 10 May, 8:30 am. Join us for a naturalist-guided bird walk and learn about our feathered friends at Fort Cooper State Park. The walk will provide an opportunity to observe a variety of birds in diverse habitats. Program will start at the lake to scope the shoreline and open water at 8:30 a.m.
Led by naturalist and member of the National Audubon Society, Dee Bolton. Ms. Bolton served eight years as a professional guide in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, leading bird walks, birding paddles, pontoon boat tours, discussing the area's history and wildlife, and leading history walks. As a resident camp volunteer she served at the following parks: Salton Sea State Park, California: Led bird walks and kayak tours and worked in the visitors' center. Patagonia Lake State Park, Arizona: Led bird walks and pontoon boat tours while discussing the area's history and its birds and wildlife. Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Key Largo: Office work and conduct ... Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 South Old Floral City Road, Inverness, 34450. 904-726-0315. Fort Cooper State Park - [more][thefriendsoffortcooper][email][events]
April 2018
Saturday 21 April 2018
Sat 21 Apr, 11 am. Held on the shore of Lake Holithlakaha, the Bluegrass Music Festival is just one of several great events held at Fort Cooper State Park. In its 7th year, the festival is jam packed with some of the best local Bluegrass Bands.
Advance tickets are now available online. Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 at the gate. Children 12 and under are free. Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 South Old Floral City Road, Inverness, 34450. 904-726-0315. Fort Cooper State Park - [thefriendsoffortcooper][email][events]
Thursday 12 April 2018
Thu 12 Apr, 8:30 am. Join us for a naturalist-guided bird walk and learn about our feathered friends at Fort Cooper State Park. The walk will provide an opportunity to observe a variety of birds in diverse habitats. Program will start at the lake to scope the shoreline and open water at 8:30 a.m.
Led by naturalist and member of the National Audubon Society, Dee Bolton. Ms. Bolton served eight years as a professional guide in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, leading bird walks, birding paddles, pontoon boat tours, discussing the area's history and wildlife, and leading history walks. As a resident camp volunteer she served at the following parks: Salton Sea State Park, California: Led bird walks and kayak tours and worked in the visitors' center. Patagonia Lake State Park, Arizona: Led bird walks and pontoon boat tours while discussing the area's history and its birds and wildlife. Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Key Largo: Office work and conduct ... Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 South Old Floral City Road, Inverness, 34450. 904-726-0315. Fort Cooper State Park - [more][thefriendsoffortcooper][email][events]
March 2018
Thursday 29 March 2018
Thu 29 Mar, 9 am. We are excited to announce an addition to the bird watching program at Fort Cooper State Park.
Beginning January 25th and continuing February 1, 15, 22 and March 1, 15, 22 & 29 the park will be host to bird walks lead by Gail King. These walks will be geared more for beginning and intermediate birdwatchers however all experience levels are welcome.
Participants will meet at 9:00 a.m. by the lake and should bring binoculars, a field guide and anything else they feel will make their birding experience more enjoyable. It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing and shoes appropriate for weather conditions and bring something to drink to stay hydrated.
The park entrance fee is $3.00 per vehicle up to 8 people in the vehicle or $2.00 for pedestrian or bicyclist. Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 South Old Floral City Road, Inverness, 34450. 904-726-0315. Fort Cooper State Park - [thefriendsoffortcooper][email][events]
Thursday 22 March 2018
Thu 22 Mar, 8:30 am. We are excited to announce an addition to the bird watching program at Fort Cooper State Park.
Beginning January 25th and continuing February 1, 15, 22 and March 1, 15, 22 & 29 the park will be host to bird walks lead by Gail King. These walks will be geared more for beginning and intermediate birdwatchers however all experience levels are welcome.
Participants will meet at 9:00 a.m. by the lake and should bring binoculars, a field guide and anything else they feel will make their birding experience more enjoyable. It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing and shoes appropriate for weather conditions and bring something to drink to stay hydrated.
The park entrance fee is $3.00 per vehicle up to 8 people in the vehicle or $2.00 for pedestrian or bicyclist. Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 South Old Floral City Road, Inverness, 34450. 904-726-0315. Fort Cooper State Park - [thefriendsoffortcooper][email][events]
Sunday 18 March 2018
Sun 18 Mar, 8 am. The sound of musket volleys and the smell of gunpowder will greet visitors to Fort Cooper State Park as it celebrates Fort Cooper Days on March 17 and 18. Experience Florida’s history during the April 1836 skirmishes of the Second Seminole War on the shores of Lake Holathlikaha. Watch as volunteers re-enact an attack between a group of Seminoles and members of the First Georgia Battalion of Volunteers. Re-enactments occur at 11 am and 2 pm each day.
A special feature to this year’s weekend festivities will be a award-winning musician Bing Futch on the Native American flute at 9:30 -10:00 am and 12:00 – 12:30 pm on Saturday March 17 and Sunday March 18. Bing Futch is a multi-faceted musician on both string and wind instruments. He always has a story between songs and brings a sense of the Native American musical culture to our historical re-enactment.
Come and enjoy modern and period artisans, living history demonstrations, exhibits, food and refreshments.
Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 South Old Floral City Road, Inverness, 34450. 904-726-0315. $7, 12 and under free. Fort Cooper State Park - [thefriendsoffortcooper][email][events]
Saturday 17 March 2018
Sat 17 Mar to Sun 18 Mar, 8 am. The sound of musket volleys and the smell of gunpowder will greet visitors to Fort Cooper State Park as it celebrates Fort Cooper Days on March 17 and 18. Experience Florida’s history during the April 1836 skirmishes of the Second Seminole War on the shores of Lake Holathlikaha. Watch as volunteers re-enact an attack between a group of Seminoles and members of the First Georgia Battalion of Volunteers. Re-enactments occur at 11 am and 2 pm each day.
A special feature to this year’s weekend festivities will be a award-winning musician Bing Futch on the Native American flute at 9:30 -10:00 am and 12:00 – 12:30 pm on Saturday March 17 and Sunday March 18. Bing Futch is a multi-faceted musician on both string and wind instruments. He always has a story between songs and brings a sense of the Native American musical culture to our historical re-enactment.
Come and enjoy modern and period artisans, living history demonstrations, exhibits, food and refreshments.
Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 South Old Floral City Road, Inverness, 34450. 904-726-0315. $7, 12 and under free. Fort Cooper State Park - [thefriendsoffortcooper][email][events]
Thursday 15 March 2018
Thu 15 Mar, 8:30 am. We are excited to announce an addition to the bird watching program at Fort Cooper State Park.
Beginning January 25th and continuing February 1, 15, 22 and March 1, 15, 22 & 29 the park will be host to bird walks lead by Gail King. These walks will be geared more for beginning and intermediate birdwatchers however all experience levels are welcome.
Participants will meet at 9:00 a.m. by the lake and should bring binoculars, a field guide and anything else they feel will make their birding experience more enjoyable. It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing and shoes appropriate for weather conditions and bring something to drink to stay hydrated.
The park entrance fee is $3.00 per vehicle up to 8 people in the vehicle or $2.00 for pedestrian or bicyclist. Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 South Old Floral City Road, Inverness, 34450. 904-726-0315. Fort Cooper State Park - [thefriendsoffortcooper][email][events]
Thursday 8 March 2018
Thu 8 Mar, 8:30 am. Join us for a naturalist-guided bird walk and learn about our feathered friends at Fort Cooper State Park. The walk will provide an opportunity to observe a variety of birds in diverse habitats. Program will start at the lake to scope the shoreline and open water at 8:30 a.m.
Led by naturalist and member of the National Audubon Society, Dee Bolton. Ms. Bolton served eight years as a professional guide in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, leading bird walks, birding paddles, pontoon boat tours, discussing the area's history and wildlife, and leading history walks. As a resident camp volunteer she served at the following parks: Salton Sea State Park, California: Led bird walks and kayak tours and worked in the visitors' center. Patagonia Lake State Park, Arizona: Led bird walks and pontoon boat tours while discussing the area's history and its birds and wildlife. Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Key Largo: Office work and conduct ... Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 South Old Floral City Road, Inverness, 34450. 904-726-0315. Fort Cooper State Park - [more][thefriendsoffortcooper][email][events]
Thu 8 Mar, 4:30 pm. Do bats scare or fascinate you? Do you cringe at the sight of a bat in the evening or do you say a silent prayer of thanks as those bats overhead gobble up thousands of mosquito's in your back yard?
The Friends of Fort Cooper feature periodic programs and observation of Florida's. Thanks to a Boy Scout Eagle project, Fort Cooper has a huge bat house that now has thousands of inhabitants.
Attendees will start the evening at 4:30 pm by scoping the Park's Lake Holithakaha, beach-side. Refreshments will be served at 5:00 in the Park's Recreation Hall and the presentation entitled Bats – Myth and Reality will begin promptly at 5:30 pm, featuring presenter Shari Blisett-Clark. Following her presentation, attendees will take a short walk to Fort Cooper’s Bat House to witness the swarm of bats exiting the House at sundown. It is truly a remarkable sight. It is advised that walkers wear sneakers or close-toed shoes.?
Reservations are required, as seating is limited. Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 South Old Floral City Road, Inverness, 34450. 904-726-0315. Fort Cooper State Park - [thefriendsoffortcooper][email][events]
Thursday 1 March 2018
Thu 1 Mar, 9 am. We are excited to announce an addition to the bird watching program at Fort Cooper State Park.
Beginning January 25th and continuing February 1, 15, 22 and March 1, 15, 22 & 29 the park will be host to bird walks lead by Gail King. These walks will be geared more for beginning and intermediate birdwatchers however all experience levels are welcome.
Participants will meet at 9:00 a.m. by the lake and should bring binoculars, a field guide and anything else they feel will make their birding experience more enjoyable. It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing and shoes appropriate for weather conditions and bring something to drink to stay hydrated.
The park entrance fee is $3.00 per vehicle up to 8 people in the vehicle or $2.00 for pedestrian or bicyclist. Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 South Old Floral City Road, Inverness, 34450. 904-726-0315. Fort Cooper State Park - [thefriendsoffortcooper][email][events]