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PINECRESTTRIBUNE.COM
March 15 - 28, 2010
Squid, fresh seafood, music key Deering Seafood Festival Mar. 28 BY SHEILA STIEGLITZ
The Deering Seafood Festival on the Bay has become one of the community’s most anticipated annual events, not only for offering Florida’s freshest fish and seafood, but also because each year the Deering Estate at Cutler creates something unique that debuts at the Festival. The valet bike service initiated a few years ago continues to encourage festival goers to go green and cycle to the historic estate, and last year the introduction of the Marine Mobile on Wheels allowed children a hands-on opportunity to learn about the ecosystem, the food chain, the environment and habitat of the specimens. For this year’s festival on Sunday, March 28, Deering Estate marine biologists braved the myths about the deep dark waters of 20,000 leagues under the sea and are presenting the legendary sea creature, the squid. Found in waters all over the world, these cephalopods (animals with heads and feet) are not on the list of endangered species. Under the guidance of the educational and interpretative specialists at the Deering Estate at Cutler, boys and girls who are
Unidentified mother and daughter enjoy a tasty stone crab claw at 2009 Deering Seafood Festival.
eight years old and older, have the opportunity to join the Squid Squad to dissect a squid and learn about its different parts. Yoelly Burgos, staff member and marine biologist, explains that the squid produces ink that it cleverly uses for defense against predators. “Kids love this type of activity,” she said. “Through the dissection the kids will find the ink sac and then using a ‘pen’ — a part of the squid’s anatomy that acts like a back bone — they can write with the squid’s ink.” A few weeks ago, in preparation for the event some of the Deering Estate Foundation board members volunteered to try their hand at dissection. Carefully following Burgos’ detailed instructions, all in
the group were able to dissect the entire squid and successfully locate the ink sac and the two hearts. “These activities provide just a mere glimpse into the fun and interactive educational components that are part of the award winning programs that the Estate delivers to students and campers everyday throughout the year,” said Mary Pettit executive director of the Deering Estate Foundation. “We are delighted to showcase them at the Seafood Festival each year to raise public awareness. Not only is there the most delicious seafood, entertainment and much to see and do for the entire family at the festival, one also goes away having learned a little more about our South Florida environment, native habitats and biodiversity.” Dissection may not be for everyone, so there is still plenty to do at the upcoming Seafood festival. Top local restaurants, caterers and seafood markets prepare a dazzling array of the freshest catch. Steel drums, on-going musical entertainment, and costumed Bahamian Junkanoo dancers create a magical island celebration. Under the big top tent there are cooking demos with south Florida celebrity chefs: Clay Conley (Azul); Sean Bernal (Oceanaire); Damian Gilchrist (Ocean Reef Club); and Michael Bennett (Bimini Boatyard) and include food samples and wine tastings. Some of the other activities include an Artists’ Village, pontoon boat rides to Chicken Key; nature hikes and tours of the historic homes. The Deering Estate, a Miami-Dade County park, is located on 444-acres at 16701 SW 72 Ave. Admission is $12 in advance online for adults, $15 at the gate; Children 4-14, $5, and foundation members are admitted free. The event runs from 11a.m.–6 p.m. For more information, call 305-235-1668, ext. 263, or log on to <www.deeringestate.org>. Proceeds from the event benefit the Deering Estate Foundation.