Family Bay Day celebrates Choctawhatchee Bay with 450+ attendees

NICEVILLE, Fla. — Families gathered at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park on September 28, 2024, for the annual Family Bay Day, celebrating the ecological beauty of the Choctawhatchee Bay. Over 450 people participated in hands-on educational activities and connected with the environment during this successful event.

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA), in partnership with the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program and supported by the Mattie Kelly Environmental Initiative, organized the event to bring the community closer to the bay’s natural wonders.

Activities included popular Exploration Stations, where participants learned about the unique ecosystem, and fish printing, which allowed families to combine art with education about marine life.

“We are thrilled to have had such a wonderful turnout for Family Bay Day 2024,” said Alison McDowell, Executive Director of the CBA.

“It’s inspiring to see families coming together to learn about and appreciate the incredible natural resources in the Choctawhatchee Bay. Events like this are crucial in building a stronger, more environmentally conscious community.”

As part of the day’s festivities, the CBA held the 2024 Amateur Photo Contest, which invited participants to capture the region’s natural beauty. The winners, announced during the event, included:

• 1st Place ($250 prize): Avery Hale – Pelican at Maritime Park
• 2nd Place ($150 prize): Emily Ellis – Springs Serenity at Cypress Springs
• 3rd Place ($100 prize): Margot V. Penner – Sunset cast net at Basin Bayou

Honorable mentions will also be featured in the 2025 Mattie Kelly Environmental Initiative Calendar, showcasing breathtaking scenes of the Choctawhatchee Bay area.

For more information about upcoming events or educational programs, visit basinalliance.org or email CBA at CBA@nwfsc.edu.