Weekly Blue Angels Practices at the National Museum of Naval Aviation
At 8:30 a.m. most Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from March to November, the Pensacola-based Blue Angels take to the skies to perfect awe-inspiring aerial maneuvers that they perform at air shows throughout the country. After Wednesday practices, Blue Angels pilots often sign autographs. Viewing the �Blues� from bleachers set up outside the museum can be followed by a visit inside to explore the National Museum of Naval Aviation � one of the three largest aviation museums in the world. Experience history through an impressive display of more than 170 vintage aircraft in over 300,000 square feet of space, a Blue Angel flight simulator, and an IMAX theater showing two films daily. In addition, kids can climb into the cockpit of various aircraft such as an AH-1 �Sea Cobra� or an AV-8 �Harrier� in the Cockpit Trainer exhibit on the second deck of the museum.

Call ahead for a practice schedule. For more information, call (850) 452-2311 or visit naval-air.org. Museum admission is free.

Gulf Islands National Seashore at Fort Pickens
Explore the archways and tunnels of Fort Pickens, a massive pre-Civil War brick fortress. Learn about sea turtles, go snorkeling with a park ranger, or discover island treasures at Gulf Islands National Seashore near Pensacola Beach on Santa Rosa Island. Following is a list of some of the programs offered for children and adults.

• Junior Rangers Day Camp for children ages 8-11 is offered from 9 a.m.�noon each Tuesday from June 15-July 27. Children will be sworn in as an official Junior Ranger of the National Park Service after completing the program. They can participate in fun hands-on activities such as seining for saltwater creatures, learning about the natural history of the island, and discovering what life was like as a soldier in the 1800s. Reservations are required. Free with admission to park.
• Go snorkeling with a ranger to find creatures nearby or burrowed in the white-sand bottom of the Gulf of Mexico such as live sand dollars, baby flounder, file fish and hermit crabs. Snorkeling gear is provided. Offered each Saturday, June 7-July 31. Reservations are required. Space is limited. Free with admission to the park. Recommended swimmers ages 4 and older.
• Discover Island Treasures from 3:30 � 4 p.m. each Sunday, June 7-July 31. Park rangers �show and tell� local finds that you may not notice, such as hurricane knots, lightning glass, and a mermaid�s purse (skate egg case). You will also learn about marine debris and how it harms sea creatures or how a sting ray stings. Free with admission to park. All ages.
• Learn about and see Creepy Critters from 3:30�4:15 p.m. each Tuesday, June 15-July 27. Park rangers will highlight a different animal each week and teach kids about animals that people typically fear such as snakes, bats, spiders, and sharks. Free with admission to the park. All ages.
• Enjoy a ranger-led talk about sea turtles and see a turtle shell and turtle eggshells. Find out updates on the latest nests on the beach and how to track previously tagged turtles on the web. Turtle programs are held from 3:30�4:15 p.m. each Saturday, June 19-31 during the nesting season. Free with admission to the park.
• See Fort Pickens, a massive pre-Civil War brick fortress, in a different way with a lantern-led tour featuring the history of the fort. The Candlelight Tours are offered from 8-9:30 p.m. each Tuesday, June 15-July 27. Free with admission to the park. Not recommended for children who scare easily. Bug repellent encouraged.

Historic Pensacola Village
In the downtown historic district, Historic Pensacola Village features archaeological sites, museums, one of Florida�s oldest churches, and furnished period houses spanning from the earliest Spanish explorers to the 1920s.

Kids will love the T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum featuring artwork, artifacts, antique photographs, and a hands-on Discovery Gallery for children. The Discovery Gallery recreates old-time Pensacola, complete with a child-sized cabin, fort, general store, a port with a ship, and an Indian village. The Wentworth�s elaborate Renaissance Revival style building originally served as City Hall. With its wide overhanging eaves and red tile roof, the building serves as a perfect setting for learning about Pensacola�s past.

Village operating hours are 10 a.m.�4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call (850) 595-5985 or visit www.historicpensacola.org. Admission varies.

Sam�s Fun City Amusement Park And Dinner Show
Sam�s Fun City offers family fun year-round with rides, bumper boats, miniature golf, go-kart tracks, an arcade, and a 1,600-sq-ft extreme laser tag arena. Voted �Top Family Entertainment Center of the World� by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), it gets even better with the opening of the Sam�s Fun Country Reunion dinner show. The show was written, produced, and directed by Grande Ole Opry comedian T. Bubba Bechtol. Dinner programs begin at 7 p.m. every Friday and Saturday from July 2 � August 14. Each show will feature plenty of audience participation with dinner, dancing, music, a pie-eating contest, and conga-line fun.

The park is open seven days a week. For more information, call (850) 505-0800 or visit samsfuncity.com.

Summer Surf Camp with Innerlight
Learn how to catch a wave or fine-tune your skills with a four-day surf camp by Innerlight Surf & Skate. Campers will learn from experienced surfers including what to look for in a wave, how to paddle and stand up, and how to handle a rip current. Camp hours are 1�4 p.m. weekly through July 30. Surfers must be at least 8 years old and registration is required. $140 per week. For more information, call (850) 932-5134 or visit innerlightsurf.com.

Key Sailing Cruises
Key Sailing offers �Eco� Cruises at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and sunset cruises at 6 p.m. daily from March�October aboard �The Pelican,� a 32-foot deck boat equipped with a cover, high side rails, and a restroom. Capt. Darrel can take up to 26 passengers on a three-hour tour to secluded beaches for swimming and shelling or to historical sites such as Fort Pickens, the Pensacola Lighthouse or Fort McRae. Passengers will have the chance to see dolphins, horseshoe crabs, fish, birds, and other wildlife. Water and soft drinks are provided and passengers are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch or snacks for the cruise. $30 for adults, $18 for kids under 12, and free for kids under 3. Reservations are required. For more information, call (850) 932-5520 or visit keysailing.com.

Special kayak tours are also offered to secluded waterways of Santa Rosa Island. Deckhands will unload your kayak and guide you to areas for an opportunity to see water birds, marine life, and other wildlife on the island.

For more information about the Pensacola Bay Area, call the Pensacola Bay Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 874-1234 or go online to visitpensacola.com.

Contacts:
Stacy Garrett
Pensacola Convention & Visitors Bureau
(800) 874-1234 / (850) 434-1234
or
Ashley Chisholm
EW Bullock Associates
(850) 438-4015

Pensacola is the American South. Red sunsets, white beaches and Blue Angels. We�re as down home as barbeque and cold beer, as classically elegant as wood-grilled shrimp, gouda cheese grits and white wine. We are the New South and Old Florida, a resort town with a unique history and a thriving community...