Viva, Florida! Viva, Ponce de Leon!

Don't mistake Viva Florida 500 for the Daytona 500.

This celebration of explorer Ponce de Leon's arrival in Florida 500 years ago has nothing to do with car races.

But his ship was the first European vessel to reach Florida waters. Now that's an achievement.

Monday, April 1, marked the launch of VivaFlorida.org, a multimedia campaign that includes a 30 minute television special that will be airing statewide and an online clickable map.

There also are events scheduled in the Tampa Bay region and across the state. (For a complete list of Viva Florida 500 events, visit the events calendar at www.VivaFlorida.org.)
 Here's just a sampling:

• On Wednesday, Wednesday, April 3, the U.S. Postal Service will unveil the La Florida Commemorative Stamp. The stamp commemorates the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Florida. 

• On Saturday, April 6, there will be a "Puerto Rico Discovers Florida Again" Symposium featuring the sale of 100% manufactured Puerto Rican products at the Wyndham Tampa Westshore Hotel. The sympoosium raises awareness about the new Domestic Trade agreement between Florida and Puerto Rico. The day will commemorate Florida’s accomplishments old and new. Go to http://governor.www.puertoricanchamberofflorida.com/ for more information.

• Also, on Saturday, the Viva Florida 500 Author Program on St. Pete Beach will feature authors Donald H. Thompson and Carol Thompson, regarding Egmont Key: A History. Go to www.pplc.us/vivaflorida2012.shtml for details.

• On Saturday, April 27, from 1-2 p.m., Exploring Florida's Big Bend Gulf Coast is an educational program to be held at Grand Court Tampa, 4902 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa.

  About the 16th Century Spanish Galleon Replica
 
El Galeón is a 170 foot, 495 ton, authentic wooden replica of a galleon, leaving for Florida today, that was part of Spain’s West Indies fleet. It will take El Galeón about 10 days to go from Puerto Rico to Florida, where the Viva Florida 500 Voyage will include call on ports in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Cape Canaveral and St. Augustine beginning April 15 and culminating June 3, as part of the state’s 500th anniversary commemoration. VISIT FLORIDA is helping coordinate the tour along with Fundacion Nao Victoria. For more information about the replica galleon, contact Pam Forrester at 850.205.3839.