39th Saturday in the Park & Heritage 5K Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run

39th Saturday in the Park & Heritage 5K Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run


Valparaiso, FL – Everyone is invited to the 39th Saturday in the Park at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida April 25 for a day of old-fashioned family-fun with something for everyone. 
The day kicks off with a traditional opening ceremony including an invocation, presentation of colors, and National Anthem, all beginning at 7:45 a.m.  Then, the Walton Guard Civil War re-enactors will fire their muskets officially starting the festival and the Heritage 5K Run/Walk at 8:00 a.m. 
Walkers and runners will enjoy a scenic route along beautiful Tom’s Bayou, and a celebration after-party in “Paradise Gardens”.  Winners in each category will receive a unique photograph from the Museum’s library archives.  Register before April 12 for reduced rate, and to guarantee your shirt size & swag bag.  Museum Members and Northwest Florida Track members get an additional discount before April 12.  Register at www.active.com  ,  www.Heritage-Museum.org   or visit the Museum at 115 Westview Avenue in Valparaiso.
Then, hang around for the 39th Saturday in the Park Festival.  The Museum will be open with free admission and feature the Discovery Room – hands-on exhibits for kids and other new exhibits, such as “Pieces of the Past: Okaloosa Centennial” commemorating Okaloosa County’s 100th Anniversary in 2015, and “Paradise Gardens”, an outdoor exhibit sponsored by the Valparaiso Garden Club.
Enjoy live entertainment, including choirs, bands and dancers.  Browse the variety of unique arts & crafts booths and feast on array of yummy carnival food.  There will be antique cars, historic craft demonstrations including bobbin lace, chair caning, weaving, and more.  Re-enactors include the Walton Guard, Shire Phoenix, and Union Rebels.  There will be a Kid Zone with bounce house, obstacle course, old-fashioned toys, games, contests and more!  
Saturday in the Park supports the Museum’s mission to promote the rich heritage of Northwest Florida.
Make History! and come join the fun at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida’s 39th Saturday in the Park Festival.  There will be plenty of handicap parking and a golf cart shuttle from Lincoln Park and surrounding streets.   Sponsorships and vendor spaces are still available for Arts/Crafts, Non-profit/Gov’t Agencies/Clubs, Re-enactors & Demonstrators.  Go to:  www.heritage-museum.org , call:  850-678-2615  or email: info@heritage-musuem.org
Schedule of Events
7:00 AM        Registration/Packet Pick-up - Heritage 5k Run/Walk & Fun Run
7:45 AM         Opening Ceremony
                        Invocation:  Trinity Presbyterian Church, Ben Rossell, Pastor
                        Presentation of Colors:  Niceville High School ROTC
                        National Anthem:  Plew Panthers 5th Grade Choir
8:00 AM        Start-Heritage 5k (1 Mile Fun Run follows)
                        Civil War Re-enactors, the Walton Guard fire muskets to start Race
8:00 AM        Emerald Coast Pipes & Drums
8:30 AM        Saturday in the Park Special
9:15 AM         “Paradise Gardens” Tour – Marie Harrison
9:15 AM         5k Race Awards – Emcee: Aimee Shaffer
10:15 AM       A Dance Studio
11:00 AM       High Steppers          
11:30 AM       Irish Blend
12:00PM        Emerald Coast Chorus
12:30 PM       Sugar Beach Chorus
1:30 PM         Old Fashioned Contests (Watermelon & Bubble Gum)
2:30 PM         Pyramid Players
3:00 PM        ATA Taekwondo
3:30 PM         Lewis Jazz Band
All day:          Free Museum Admission
                        Antique Cars           
                        Kid Zone
                        Re-enactors
                        Historic Craft Demonstrations
                        Arts/Craft & Food Vendors
                        Heritage Bake Sale
                        and more…
This event is made possible through generous donations from community sponsors including:  The cities of Valparaiso and Niceville, Okaloosa County Commissioners, Tech Management Enterprises-Stephen Czonstka, Okaloosa Gas District, Harold Peek-Attorney at Law, Coastal Bank & Trust, and other businesses who value historic preservation and education as an essential quality of life.
Thank you to all our volunteers, especially the Air Force Sergeant’s Association!
Preserving the Past, Building our Future - The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to historic preservation and education. 
Event:                        39th Saturday in the Park – Heritage 5k Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run
Place:             Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida & Perrine Park
                        115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso, FL
Date:              Saturday, APRIL 25, 2015
Time:             Heritage 5K Registration/Check-in – 7 a.m.
                        Opening Ceremony Begins – 7:45 a.m.
                        Event – 8 am – 4 pm
                        Race Start Time – 8 a.m.
Contact:         850-678-2615    info@heritage-museum.org