The fourth annual Tortuga Music Festival, country music’s biggest beach party featuring Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, and Dierks Bentley, continues to be more than just entertainment. As the festival celebrates its tremendous oceanfront setting, it also informs concertgoers on the issues impacting the world’s oceans while supporting marine research and conservation. Tortuga Music Festival is proud to announce more than 30 marine conservation organizations and exhibits will be featured in Rock The Ocean’s Conservation Village this year.
“From day one our goal was not only to create unforgettable experiences and memories, but also to use our platform to elevate conservation issues. Thanks to our partners, we will continue to make a tremendous splash this year with some truly eye-opening and informative activations that address key issues,” says HUKA Entertainment Chief Experience Officer A.J. Niland.
“My inspiration for this event was the singular cause of saving our seas,” says Rock The Ocean founder Chris Stacey. “My favorite part every year is getting to meet the ‘rock stars’ of the conservation movement who work tirelessly 365 days a year to ensure our ocean’s future. This entire event was based on the concept of ‘edu-tainment.’ Let’s put on a killer show… but also make sure our fans leave with some new insight and knowledge about how they can ‘Rock The Ocean!’”
Conservation Village will once again be categorized into Rock The Ocean’s 5 Core Issues: Coral Reef Degradation, Shark Conservation, Turtle Conservation, Marine Pollution and Overfishing. Conservation Village Partners have been asked to present a specific, “everyday” act of conservation relating to their booth’s topic to demonstrate “How Can I Rock The Ocean?” The goal is to have fans to walk away understanding how everyday choices from sunscreen to facial cleansers can impact and improve our coastal environment.
This year’s Conservation Village partners are: Beneath the Waves, Billfish Foundation, Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation, Biscayne National Park, Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program, The Coral Restoration Foundation, Clean Vibes Trading Post, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative, Friends of Our Florida Reefs, Florida Fishing Academy, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Lionfish Program, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Marine Fisheries Management Outreach and Education Subsection, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, International Game Fish Association, Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center – Coral Nursery Initiative, Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center – Kerstetter Fisheries Laboratory, Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center – Guy Harvey Research Institute, Project Baseline, RECOVER, REEF, Rock The Ocean Foundation, Sea To Shore Alliance, Sea Turtle Oversight Protection (STOP), Sharks 4 Kids, Shark Team One, University of Miami – Shark Research & Conservation Program, University of Miami – Rescue A Reef, University of Miami – Rosenstiel School of Atmospheric Science and Wildlife Voice. There will also be cooking demonstrations and delicious samples of responsibly sourced ocean fish and gourmet recipes in the Green Gourmet tent from the following: Big Chef, Piccolo Ristorante, The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, and Sea Delight Ocean Fund.
Many of the exhibits will be interactive and hands-on. People will be able to explore a coral nursery, view a manned submersible, experience an interactive Touch Tank, challenge big game fish in a simulator game, learn how to safely remove predatory lionfish, see what a sea turtle nest looks like and more. Concert attendees will also be able to visit the Clean Vibes Trading Post where they can exchange their recyclables and trash for a variety of prizes to help promote personal responsibility of leaving the beach clean after the event.
The objective of the one-of-a-kind Rock The Ocean’s Conservation Village is to provide attendees with information and tools about key ocean conservation issues in a fun, learning environment that complements the amazing performances from headliners Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw and Dierks Bentley, as well as Sam Hunt, Old Dominion, Billy Currington, Randy Houser, Tucker Beathard, Kristian Bush, Ryan Hurd, Cam, Kelsea Ballerini, JJ Grey & Mofro, Thomas Rhett, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Elle King, Joe Nichols, Jon Pardi, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Chris Janson, Kip Moore, Bobby Bones and his comedy band the Raging Idiots, Courtney Cole, A Thousand Horses, Waterloo Revival, Muddy Magnolias, Old Southern Moonshine Revival, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Native Run, Chase Bryant, LANco, Walker County, and Drew Baldridge.
Last year’s sold out festival drew more than 75,000 music fans from all over the world and raised awareness and funds for ocean conservation initiatives. More than $250,000 has been donated by the Rock The Ocean Foundation toward marine and ocean research and conservation programs from Tortuga Music Festival ticket proceeds and donations.
For tickets and more information go to: www.tortugamusicfestival.com.
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