January 8, 2018. Monterey, CA. Don’t miss a free fun and educational, interactive family event for all ages that celebrates the migration of the gray whales and much more! The event also benefits many local and national marine organizations that educate, inspire, and empower the public to protect the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
At a Glance:
What: The Monterey Old Fisherman’s Wharf Association will sponsor and hold the 8th Annual Whalefest Monterey.
Where: At and around Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, California, The Whale Watching Capital of the World™ . Directions: https://www.montereywharf.com/
When: Saturday, January 27 and Sunday, January 28, 2018 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
About Whalefest Monterey:
Whalefest Monterey™ celebrates the migration of the gray whales, and benefits the many local and national marine organizations that build awareness about the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary which educate, inspire, and empower the public to protect it.
Among the highlights will be an outstanding Symposium with lectures and documentaries related to ocean and marine life conservation presented at the Wharf Theatre. Check https://www.montereywharf.com/
Whale watchers come from around the world to view hundreds of whales, orcas, dolphins and pelicans who continue to feast on a “krill and anchovy buffet” in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Throughout the year, this Whale Watching Capital of the World offers sightings of 15 species of whales, 10 species of dolphins, 2 species of porpoise, 6 species of pinnipeds and 1 species of Fissiped (sea otter).
Weather permitting, whale watching tours, fishing, sailing and glass bottom boats will be operating from the Wharf (for a fee), and Wharf restaurants will be serving lunch and dinner. Wharf shops will also be featuring marine-themed merchandise.
The two-day event will feature a wide array of fun and informative activities including:
• Dee: The Beautiful Inflatable 43-foot Whale will be back at Whalefest. Attendees are able to go inside and see the ribs, heart, lungs, baleen, stomach and esophagus.
• Gyutaku, the Japanese art of stenciling fish, will be a fun activity for kids from Noon to 4:00 pm both days outside of Discovery Whale Watching
• Scrimshaw, the antique art of carving created by Basque and Portuguese whalers will take place outside of Monterey Bay Whale Watching.
• The popular animatronic Coastie the Safety Boat™, a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 64 Monterey, will roam and talk with attendees.
• Seafloor Science ROV Summer Day Camp (for ages 8-10 and 11-14) will have underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for visitors of all ages to “drive” in an enclosed tank! Stop by the SS-ROV Day Camp tent to say hello, have some fun, and discover a bit about he nuts and bolts of ocean exploration!
• Marine Life Studies Take it to the Streets™ is partnering with Surfrider for the Whalefest Community Beach & Bike Path Cleanup. Meet 11:00 am on Sunday, January 28, 2018 at the Marine Life Studies Booth.
• Abalone Races sponsored by Monterey Abalone Company. Watch multi-footed mollusks race marathons on Saturday at 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm and Sunday at 12:00 pm and 12:30 pm outside of Big Fish Grill.
There will also be many colorful photo ops with costumed animals roaming the Wharf area including a whale, leatherback turtle, mola-mola, shark and the Bag Monster.
The event will feature many other interactive “edutaining” displays and activities on both days from American Cetacean Society, California Coastal Commission, Camp SEA Lab, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Heirs to Our Oceans, Hess Design, Marine Life Studies, Marine Mammal Center, Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club, Otter Project, Pacific Grove Museum, Save the Whales, Seafloor Science ROV. Sea Otter Savvy, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Student Oceanography Club and Sustainable Monterey, with additional organizations to be confirmed soon.
Live Musical Entertainment
The event will feature an array of great live music including Nick Fettis and his “Orca”stra, Richard Carr (Creator/performer of piano/keyboard soundtracks for the soul, mind & body), Mark Richardson (“Mountain Dulcimer of an Eclectic Kind”), Bill Minor (keyboards) & Richard Rosen (harmonica), Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band, Monterey High School Jazz Band and Jonah and the Whale Watchers.
Whalefest commemorative t-shirts and whale and dolphin print aprons will be available for a $15 donation.
Event Sponsors
The event’s sponsors include Monterey State Historic Park, Marine Life Studies, MAOS, Monterey Signs, Fashion Streaks, Santa Cruz Waves, Pepsi, U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Catalina Photography and the Wecker Group. Media sponsors include KAZU Radio, KSBW TV, Central Coast ABC, Estrella TV.
Special discount Hotel Rates
Special Whalefest Monterey discount room rates are available at some local Monterey Hotels, including the Portola Inn and Spa. Subject to availability, guests can reserve rooms for January 26, 27 or 28 at this website:
https://gc.synxis.com/rez.aspx
or call reservations at 855-516-1090 and mention they are attending the Whalefest to receive this discounted rate. Also, there will be discount room rates at the Comfort Inn on both North Fremont and on Munras. Please call the hotel directly to arrange the discounted rate. Comfort Inn Monterey By the Sea, 1252 Munras Avenue: 831 372-2908.www.stayatmonterey.com and Comfort Inn Monterey Bay, 2050 North Fremont Street 831-373-3081www.montereygetaway.com.
About the 2-Day Symposium
There will be another world-class 2-day Symposium held at the Wharf Theater this year. Here are all of the latest details about the marine experts, their topics and bios.
