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by Eric Weiss
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Families can celebrate Plastic Free July with games, educational activities and a visit from Mia the Manatee during a free event this weekend in West Palm Beach.
Mia’s Summer Shell-A-Bration will take place Saturday, July 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Manatee Lagoon, located at 6000 North Flagler Drive. Admission and parking are free.
The family-friendly event is designed to show visitors how small, environmentally conscious choices can help protect oceans and local waterways.
Guests will be among the first to explore a new interactive pop-up science exhibit. Other activities include free face painting, a conservation scavenger hunt, eco-friendly giveaways and Plastic Free July-themed editions of Manatee Tales Story Time.
Manatee Lagoon educators, known as “Manatee Masters,” will also lead mini tours and teach visitors about Florida’s manatees and the surrounding ecosystem. Families can take photos with Mia the Manatee, the center’s mascot, and food trucks will be on site throughout the event.
Manatee Lagoon is a 16,000-square-foot FPL Eco-Discovery Center overlooking the Lake Worth Lagoon. The attraction includes hands-on exhibits, observation areas and educational programs focused on manatees and South Florida’s waterways.
See also: Found 7 miles south of Florida Keys, massive 450-pound turtle carried ashore to rehab
Organizers note that summer is outside the traditional manatee season, which runs from Nov. 15 through March 31, so visitors are not guaranteed to see wild manatees during the event.
For more information, visit Manatee Lagoon's special events page.

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