It's Easy Being Green at Cheeca Lodge & Spa

"Keep Keys Green" is this year's slogan for the annual Earth Day celebration on the beachfront at Cheeca Lodge & Spa. The worldwide festivities honoring Mother Earth are marked by a very special family-fun holiday at Cheeca for visitors and local residents alike. Since 1994, guests at the hotel and residents of the "Conch Republic" have met at the resort to enjoy a full day of beachfront activities, family barbecue, musical entertainment and environmental education.

Proceeds of this year's event will go to the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, which provides emergency and recuperative care for injured birds and is slowly evolving into a significant collection and distribution point for information about our environment.

This year, Earth Day revelers will begin gathering on the beach at 8 a.m. to create the annual Earth Day sand sculpture, spelling out "Keep Keys Green" in giant letters made out of colored sand across a wide stretch of the shoreline. Teams of up to 10 people, sponsored by individuals, local businesses, social clubs or organizations, can purchase a letter for $250. Individuals can join a team for just $20. Teammates will each receive a custom-designed, limited edition Earth Day tee shirt and two beverage tickets. Aerial photos will be presented to each sponsor. The teams typically form very stylized creations for each letter and, this year a prize will be awarded to the "Most Creative." Upon completion of our "Keep Keys Green" slogan sharply at noon, a helicopter flyover has been scheduled to film and photograph the message and the resulting images will be released to local and national news stations all across the country. In addition to the sand sculpture fundraiser, other fun-filled activities scheduled include:

KAYAK RACES– Back Country Cowboy, Islamorada's finest kayak outfitters, will organize the kayak races for participants of all ages. Challengers will race up and down the waters off the Cheeca beach and there will be prizes for the winners! Donations appreciated. (10 a.m. – noon)

WORLD PARROT MISSION EXHIBIT - Jennifer Dermer and her parrots from the World Parrot Mission put on quite a show highlighting the intelligence and creativity of these beautiful birds. Kids are allowed to feed the parrots that play basketball, do puzzles and sing and dance! (10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

KIDS' CATCH & RELEASE FISHING TOURNAMENT - Kids will gather at the Cheeca pier for some great competition to see who can catch and release the most -- and biggest -- fish! Drop line fishing "yo-yo's" will be included in the entry fee and must be used by all anglers. Bait will be provided courtesy of Key Largo Fisheries. Trophies will be awarded to the winners. Entry fee: $10 per angler. Age groups are 6 and under; and 7-12 years old (12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.) Awards will be presented in several categories at 2 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT – Cheeca Lodge & Spa staff will organize a volleyball tournament for kids of all ages. Donations appreciated. (2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.)

"GRAND RAFFLE PRIZE DRAWING" - Two night, three-day return stay at Cheeca Lodge & Spa. Raffle tickets of $1 each or 6 for $5 are a donation to the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center. Winner must be present at time of drawing. (2:30 p.m. sharp!)

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION BOOTHS - Environmental organizations including Reef Relief and the Audubon Society, among others will be at Cheeca with displays and activities to educate adults and children about "...thinking green." (10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)

FAMILY-PRICED BARBECUE AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT – Enjoy the delightful music style of David Feder and a delicious beachside barbecue throughout the day.

Cheeca Lodge & Spa, in the Florida Keys, is situated on 27 beautifully landscaped acres with more than 1200 feet of palm-fringed beach and crystal-clear water. It features 201 luxurious guest rooms and suites, three restaurants, a nine-hole, par-three executive golf course, a complete tennis program with six courts, two swimming pools and a whirlpool spa. For more information about Cheeca Lodge & Spa, visit www.cheeca.com. For reservations, call 800-327-2888.

SOURCE Cheeca Lodge & Spa