Fort De Soto Park Turns 50; Post Your Photos, Memories!

Fort De Soto will turn 50 next weekend, and the county park is still a beauty.

An anniversary celebration of activities is planned for Saturday, May 11. But people already are posting their favorite photos of Fort De Soto to Twitter and other sites. (Upload your photos here for a Patch gallery of images!)

A favorite park for beach-goers, birdwatchers and dog walkers, Fort De Soto opened on May 11, 1963, according to the Tampa Bay Times. In 2013, two to three million people will visit a park known for its pristine landscape, views of the Sunshine Skyway and stunning beaches.

A Tampa Bay Times article noted: "There is no land like it left in Pinellas County."

The anniversary celebration will be Saturday, May 11, starting at 9 a.m. with a sea oat planting. Sign up is behind the fort from 8 to 9 a.m. The Friends of Fort De Soto are the hosts, with a rededication ceremony at 10:30 a.m. There will be a performance by the Tampa Bay Water Ski Show.

Kayakers will spend the morning planting sea oats at the north tip of the park. There also will be a barbecue and live music. Tampa Bay Watch, Birds of Prey and other community groups will have exhibitions and giveaways.

The afternoon will be filled with music, a community barbecue, giveaways and exhibits. Entertainment will include Lightning Jack Steel Drum Band, Perkins Elementary/Voice of Perkins and Perkins Beat, Perkins Dance Performance, D’Band, The Wall Bangers, Big Moon Rocket, shades of Twilight and T-Foxx.

The $5 entry fee will be waived for visitors arriving before 10 a.m.

For more information, call (727) 582-2267 or visit pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm.

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