Media Release

Alachua County, FL – Alachua County, The Friends of O’Leno, and the Santa Fe River Springs Basin Working Group invite citizens to the seventh annual O’Leno Ole’ Chili Cook-Off (from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) and Springs Celebration (from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) on Saturday March 29, 2014, at O’Leno State Park (410 SE O’Leno Park Road). Admission to the park is free with the donation of one can of food per person to benefit a local food bank.

The events include a chili cook-off,  live music, model railroad displays, a guided walk, children’s activities and environmental exhibits. Attendees can also participate in an exhibit scavenger hunt and win a prize. Chili tasting kits will be on sale for $5, and all proceeds assist the Friends of O’Leno, Inc., a non-profit organization, with their mission of supporting the park.

“The Springs Celebration is a great event for everyone to learn how their actions are connected to the health of our springs, even when they live tens of miles away from them” said Alachua County Environmental Protection Water Conservation Coordinator Stacie Greco.  She continued, “When we use a lot of water and fertilizer on our farms and yards we may be harming the springs of the Santa Fe River.”