Snooty Prepares for His Big Party

Here's something fun for your July 21 calendar. Grab the kids and hop in the car for a road trip to Bradenton where a birthday party will be held for one of the Tampa Bay area's most famous senior citizens.

Snooty the manatee is set to turn 64 and like every other year he's about to get a huge party. No surprises here for the senior citizen sea cow.

The South Florida Museum has been doing it up big for Snooty for more than a decade. After all, he is considered to be the oldest living Manatee. He's one of four Manatees living permanently in captivity and he has a decade on the others, said Marilyn Margold, aquarium director.

Currently Snooty is living with a couple of much younger Manatees — Epac and Charlie — as they go through rehabilitation before being released back into the wild this winter.

Those living in the wild today rarely make it to their teenage years with the hazards of modern life: boaters, red tide and even the age old hazard, cold water, Margold said.

While Snooty's the star of the show his party includes a large supporting cast and the South Florida Museum is looking for a few more volunteers to take the stage with Snooty.

Children have until Monday to enter a birthday card contest for Snooty. The contest is open to children in preschool through the sixth grade. Birthday cards will be judged primarily on originality and creativity. Prizes will be awarded during the birthday party on July 21.

To enter, mail or deliver cards to the by 5 p.m. on Monday. Entries must include name, address, telephone number, age and the child's school grade during the 2011-12 school year. Limit card size to 8 1/2-by-11 or smaller.

The museum is looking for volunteers 16 and over who can help with the party. They are also looking for someone who can wear a Manatee costume at the birthday party on the plaza.