The first annual Indian River Lagoon Fest is happening this Saturday, March 7^th from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Ted Moorhead Lagoon House in Palm Bay. The purpose of the festival is to help save the lagoon through awareness and education of threats facing the lagoon, as well as to help raise money to thwart these threats. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

Beer, food, and live music will be available throughout the day. The festival presenters have put together an awesome lineup of musicians including Pato Banton and the Now Generation, Austin Jenckes of NBC’s “The Voice,” Kyle Cook of Matchbox 20, Bill (the Sauce Boss) Wharton, The Lights Out Project, Coastal Breed, Inna Sense, and much more.

If you live on the Space Coast, most likely you benefit from the Indian River Lagoon in some fashion. For us at LifeStyle Homes, we have had the pleasure of building residences all along the lagoon for the past 30 years, as well as enjoyed fishing, wakeboarding, and other recreational activities with our family and friends for years.

The Indian River Lagoon is perhaps the most important natural treasure of our community, and we must all work together to protect it.

Take note of its importance and threats, as cited by the Marine Resources Council, a non-profit organization that has worked diligently for 30 years to save the Indian River Lagoon:

“The Indian River Lagoon is an internationally renowned estuary that supports tremendous biodiversity as well as world-class recreational and commercial fisheries. Every year, the Indian River Lagoon brings $3.7 billion to the regional economy, providing 15,000 jobs and recreational opportunities for 11 million people.  Recent algal “superblooms” in the Indian River Lagoon have contributed to the loss of 47,000 acres of sea grasses as well as hundreds of manatees, dolphins, and pelicans. The ecosystem may be approaching a tipping point from which it may never recover. Worldwide news is covering the death of our estuary. The local economy is at risk as well as the quality of life for the residents who live and work on the Indian River Lagoon. Residents, businesses, and agencies are seeking solutions, things they can do to help restore the estuary.”

For more information on the Indian River Lagoon Fest, please visit: www.SaveTheIRL.org. We hope to see everyone there!