- May 1, 2024
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Turtle Patrol volunteers bring the rehabilitated sea turtle down the beach. Photo by Sierra Williams
The 90-pound loggerhead, named "Snoqualmie" reaches the ocean. Photo by Sierra Williams
The Turtle Fest always hosts live performances including belly dancers. Photo by Sierra Williams
The Turtle Fest always hosts live performances including belly dancers. Photo by Sierra Williams
Turtle fest features several educational booths about sea turtles and other environmental organizations. Photo by Sierra Williams
Turtle Patrol volunteers Jean Rust, Ginger Pinholster, Caszandra Brooks and Ginny McLeod. Photo by Sierra Williams
Wesley Adkins, 3, gets a sun painted on his face at Turtle Fest. Photo by Sierra Williams
Two tortoises "raced" around an enclosure. Photo by Sierra Williams
Carolyn Kovacs, with a local branch of University of Florida's Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, educates attendees about sea turtles. Photo by Sierra Williams
Turtle Patrol volunteer Murph Borno holds up a sign about the rehabilitated sea turtle release. Photo by Sierra Williams
Joy King is a local artist who only recently began to showcase her artwork. The Turtle Fest was her second ever showing. Photo by Sierra Williams
Several local small businesses and artists held booths at Turtle Fest to showcase their works. Photo by Sierra Williams
Children enjoyed the bounce houses at the Turtle Fest. Photo by Sierra Williams
Logan Williams, 5, pets a turtle. Photo by Sierra Williams
The 2024 Volusia-Flagler Turtle Fest celebrated the release of a rescued, 90-pound loggerhead sea turtle.
The 16th annual Turtle Fest took place in Veteran's Park in Flagler Beach on April 6. Sea turtle enthusiasts celebrated with local artists, bounce houses, live performances, educational booths and turtle and tortoise exhibits.
It took four Turtle Patrol volunteers to carry the rescued turtle, named "Snoqualmie," down the beach to the water's edge.
Snoqualmie — called "Sno" by the volunteers — was found in St. Johns County on Dec. 2, weighing just 51 pounds, according to Turtle Patrol Volusia's Facebook page. She was extremely anemic and emaciated and received IV nutritions and multiple blood transfusions at the Marine Science Center.
The Turtle Fest is the Volusia-Flagler Turtle Patrol's primary fundraiser each year and serves as an education outreach opportunity for local environmental organizations, according to the Turtle Patrol's website.
Joy King was one of several local artists to set up tables at the Turtle Fest and showcase their work. King said the Turtle Fest was only her second event as an artist and she was glad to be a part of something that supports an important cause.
It was an amazing experience, she said.
"I would be back every year if they will have me," King said.
