Summer Fun Guide - 2016

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2 | Sunday, May 22, 2016 | Tampa Bay Times

Staying close to home this summer? You’re in luck! Tampa Bay is bursting with fun activities for the whole family to enjoy and this Summer Fun Guide is an ideal way to plan your best “staycation” ever.

Our things to do list gives options for folks of every age. The Bishop Planetarium and Florida Botani-cal Gardens make the list, along with more outdoor activities like family picnics in scenic parks and acanoe escape.

Love museums? See our roundup of Tampa Bay area art museums to learn why our area is a top destination for art buffs. Start at the legendary Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg. Or marvel at the glassart at the Chihuly Collection. Tampa offers MOSI, a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to science and technology. You’ll also find hands-on educational museums for little ones on both sides of the bay.

Put your swimsuits on and spend the day at one of our world-famous beaches – there are 35 miles of sandy white beaches in Pinellas County alone. And did you know that Clearwater Beach was recently named the No. 1 beach in the country by the leading travel website, TripAdvisor?

Want to do more in the water than swim? We’ve got tips on where to go to dive, snorkel, kayak, jet ski and sail. Don’t forget outdoor recreation ideas like golfing, volleyball and, for big-time thrill seek-ers, sky diving! Or relax at a Rays game or a Rowdies match in your downtime.

Do your kids love time away at camp? Our summer camp list at tampabay.com/summerfun features programs for kids who love arts and crafts, technology, marine science, music and more.

Start planning now. Here’s wishing you and your family a fun and safe summer!

Plan your summer funBy Gina Vivinetto, Times correspondent

Tampa Bay Times | Sunday, May 22, 2016 | 3

Water activities: beach not included!By Nicole Slaughter-Graham, Times correspondent

Tampa Bay is ripe with 35 miles of white sand beaches, but the beaches are only a small fraction of water activities available in the area. Check out these other family- friendly activities to do on the water:

Mangroves at Fort De Soto Park – Perfect for canoeing or kayaking, the mangroves are suited for exploration from the water.

Honeymoon Island – This popular state park is well known for its beaches, but the natural oasis offers an abundance of water activities, including canoeing, waterside nature view-ing, fishing and kayaking. This is another location where the mangroves are not to be missed.

SUP – The calm waters of Tampa Bay are perfect for stand-up paddleboarding. Take your friends or family and your SUP to a multitude of locations, from Weedon Island and Weeki Wachee to Rainbow Springs and the Alafia River.

Sailing – From St. Petersburg to Inverness to New Port Richey to Tampa – sailing locations and lessons abound in the bay area.

Diving – When thinking of colorful reefs and abundant sea life, St. Petersburg/Clearwater might not be the first location divers think of, but the area offers Veteran’s Reef and St. Pete Reef, each with its own unique features. More informa-tion about the reefs and barges to be explored can be found at DiveVSPC.com.

Kite Boarding – An exhilarating take on surfing, kite board-ing employs the wind and the water for a new kind of water sport. Take advantage of the Florida winds and learn how to kite board down by the Skyway or in the waters of Clearwa-ter.

Weeki Wachee – This beautiful, spring-fed park provides budget-friendly fun for the whole family. Watch the mermaid show, kayak the river or check out the water park at this Hernando County gem.

Fishing – With an abundance of salt and freshwater loca-tions, the Tampa Bay area is perfect for any kind of fishing. Take an offshore fishing trip or choose one of the many lakes and rivers from Inverness to St. Petersburg.

Kayaking – A popular pastime, kayaking provides a unique opportunity to explore the area.

Alafia River – Located in Lithia, the Alafia River and its sur-roundings offer intense off-road biking trails, canoeing and fishing. A total of 17 miles of trails, as well as picnic areas and a playground complement the park.

Water Taxis – Taking a water taxi is a great way to spend the day and learn a little area history, as well. Davis Island is among one of several Hillsborough and Pinellas areas that offer water taxi services. Experience a dolphin watch with the kids or a historic tour with a loved one.

Riverwalk – Newly designed and perfect for strolling, the Tampa’s Riverwalk offers access to restaurants and shops and beautiful views of the Hillsborough River. To top it off, there’s always something going on near or on the Riverwalk– from food fests to live music.

Adventure Island – Looking for a little man-made water

fun? Adventure Island offers a multitude of slides, a lazy river, lounge areas and more. The park is suitable for any age group, with weekday specials and extended summer night hours.

Splash Parks – Another man-made option, splash parks offer a break from the Florida heat. From Curtis Hixon’s Wa-terfront Park in Tampa to Dell Holmes Park in St. Petersburg, from the Dunedin Kiwanis Sprayground to the Highland Rec-reation complex in Largo, splash parks are a great activity for the kids.

Lake Seminole Park – Enjoy trails, a boat ramp, picnic ar-eas and a playground at Lake Seminole Park. It’s the perfect location for a weekend.

Hernando Waterways – Weeki Wachee isn’t the only wa-terway in Hernando County. The area offers a wide variety of areas for boating, fishing and nature watching, which include Jenkins Creek, the Hernando Beach Boat Ramp, Mountain Lake, Hunters Lake and the Withlacoochee State Trail.


Summer, by the numbersBy Gina Vivinetto, Times correspondent

Meet the Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s world-famous dolphins: Hope, Nicholas and, of course, movie star Winter.

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Marvelover the

Dalí Museum’s breathtaking

Enigma dome,

featuring 1,062triangular pieces of glass.

Meet more than 200life-size dinosaurs up close at Dinosaur World in Plant City.

Walk, ride, skate or cycle on the

47 miles of Pinellas Trail stretching from downtown St. Pete to Tarpon Springs.


Swim, snorkel, boat and fish along

35 miles of sandywhite beaches and

nearly 588 miles of coastline in

Pinellas County.

Bowl a strike on one of

lanes at Oak Field Lanes in Brandon.

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Experience the thrilling

310- footplunge when you ride

Falcon’s Fury at Busch Gardens, the

world’s tallest free-standing drop tower.

See more than

1,000animals on

60 acres of natural habitats at

Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.

Soar up to

400 feet in theair on a parasail ride fromGators Parasail on John’s Pass in Madeira Beach.


Explore the area’s museumsSpending time at home this summer keeps you close to some of the nation’s most highly acclaimed museums. The Tampa Bay area is recognized as a top destination for the arts, boasting both the world-renowned Dalí Museum and the Chihuly Collection. Our area is also home to many state-of-the-art museums focusing on science and technology, history, children’s education and more. Here are just some of our highlights.

Dalí MuseumFeaturing more than 2,000 pieces of art, the world-famous museum boasts the largest collection of the Spanish surreal-ist’s work outside of Europe. St. Petersburg. (thedali.org)

Chihuly CollectionAcclaimed glassblower Dale Chihuly’s breathtaking works are displayed in museums around the world, and his perma-nent collection makes its home here. St. Petersburg. (chihuly.com)

Morean Arts CenterWith roots dating back to 1917, the Morean features revolv-ing exhibits of local, national and international works, as well as community art classes and workshops. St. Petersburg. (moreanartscenter.org)

Museum of Fine ArtsThe MFA’s permanent collection spans 5,000 years of civili-zation and includes works by Monet, Cezanne and Renoir, as well as a sculpture garden and a Steuben glass gallery. St. Petersburg. (mfastpete.org)

Great Explorations Children’s MuseumKids ages 10 and under have hands-on fun interacting with educational exhibits about art, animals, marine science and more. St. Petersburg. (greatex.org)

Florida Holocaust MuseumLearn about the Holocaust through exhibits, photographs, artifacts and videos. St. Petersburg. (flholocaustmuseum.org)

Tampa Bay Automobile MuseumThe museum showcases groundbreaking cars from every era of the 20th century with a focus on engineering and techno-logical breakthroughs. Pinellas Park. (tbauto.org)

Heritage VillageThis living-history museum features historic structures, artifacts and re-enactments that tell the story of Florida’s earliest settlers. Largo. (pinellascounty.org/heritage)

Armed Forces History MuseumVisitors learn about the U.S. military’s history through inter-active exhibits, simulation rides, artifacts and memorabilia. Largo. (armedforcesmuseum.com)

Dunedin Fine Art CenterThe center offers changing contemporary art exhibits, community classes and a separate children’s art museum. Dunedin. (dfac.org)

Leepa-Rattner Museum of ArtLocated on the Tarpon Springs campus of St. Petersburg College, the museum features more than 6,000 works from national and international artists including Picasso and Chagall. Tarpon Springs. (leeparatner.com)

MOSIMOSI, short for the Museum of Science & Industry, allows

By Gina Vivinetto, Times correspondent


visitors big and small the chance to learn through interactive exhibits about science, technology, space, robotics and more. Also features an IMAX Dome theater. Tampa (mosi.org)

Tampa Museum of ArtThe museum features antiquities, modern art and contempo-rary works, including photography and new media. Tampa. (tampamuseum.org)

Florida Museum of Photographic ArtsThis small facility has consistently offered fresh exhibits featuring some of photography’s greatest groundbreakers. Tampa. (fmopa.org) Henry B. Plant Museum

Located on the University of Tampa campus, the museum features exhibits and late Victorian artifacts from a time when the building was railroad tycoon Plant’s opulent Tampa Bay Hotel. Tampa. (ut.edu/plantmuseum)

Tampa Bay History CenterA Smithsonian Institute affiliate, the center offers Florida history buffs the chance to explore exhibits about our state’s history, including its first native inhabitants; Spanish and French explorers; and early immigrant communities. Tampa. (tampabayhistorycenter.org)

Glazer Children’s MuseumThe museum offers little ones the chance to participate in interactive educational exhibits about air travel, banking, engineering, medicine and more. Tampa. (glazermuseum.org)

St. Petersburg Museum of HistoryLearn about the Sunshine City’s unique history. Kids age 9-12 can attend the City Builders summer camp, where they’ll explore local history, architecture, preservation, and government to determine what it takes to make a great city. Includes daily field trips. St. Petersburg. (spmoh.com)

The RinglingEstablished in 1927, this sprawling art museum features 31 galleries of rare antiquities, works by old masters, contemporary art and exhibits from around the world. Worth the trip! Sarasota. (ringling.org)


visitors big and small the chance to learn through interactive exhibits about science, technology, space, robotics and more. Also features an IMAX Dome theater. Tampa (mosi.org)

Tampa Museum of ArtThe museum features antiquities, modern art and contempo-rary works, including photography and new media. Tampa. (tampamuseum.org)

Florida Museum of Photographic ArtsThis small facility has consistently offered fresh exhibits featuring some of photography’s greatest groundbreakers. Tampa. (fmopa.org) Henry B. Plant Museum

Located on the University of Tampa campus, the museum features exhibits and late Victorian artifacts from a time when the building was railroad tycoon Plant’s opulent Tampa Bay Hotel. Tampa. (ut.edu/plantmuseum)

Tampa Bay History CenterA Smithsonian Institute affiliate, the center offers Florida history buffs the chance to explore exhibits about our state’s history, including its first native inhabitants; Spanish and French explorers; and early immigrant communities. Tampa. (tampabayhistorycenter.org)

Glazer Children’s MuseumThe museum offers little ones the chance to participate in interactive educational exhibits about air travel, banking, engineering, medicine and more. Tampa. (glazermuseum.org)

St. Petersburg Museum of HistoryLearn about the Sunshine City’s unique history. Kids age 9-12 can attend the City Builders summer camp, where they’ll explore local history, architecture, preservation, and government to determine what it takes to make a great city. Includes daily field trips. St. Petersburg. (spmoh.com)

The RinglingEstablished in 1927, this sprawling art museum features 31 galleries of rare antiquities, works by old masters, contemporary art and exhibits from around the world. Worth the trip! Sarasota. (ringling.org)


Grab your bike, your skates, or simply take a stroll around serene Sawgrass Lake Park in St. Petersburg. Enjoy hiking on more than a mile of elevated boardwalk as you bird watch and take in the greenery. Bring a picnic basket or see the lake’s entirety from the Overlook Tower.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/sawgrass.html

Stargazers of all ages can enjoy the St. Petersburg College Planetarium and Observatory, located on the school’s Gibbs campus in northwest St. Petersburg. The planetarium hosts free astronomy shows every Friday evening when the college is in session. After the show, head to the rooftop observatory and look at the sky through a 20-inch reflecting telescope. spcollege.edu/planetarium or 727-384-0027

The Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum, located in the Historic Train Depot of downtown Plant City, gives train lovers the chance to learn railroad history as they view a collection of memorabilia, artifacts, and vintage trains. Take a guided tour and be sure to stand on the well-lit viewing platform that allows glimpses of trains even at night. willafordrailroadmuseum.com

The Clearwater Community Sailing Center offers summer camp programs for kids ages 5-17. Beginning sailors can learn about the wind and water, while more experienced skippers can choose from camps focus-ing on windsurfing, kayaking, paddleboarding and more. clearwatercommunitysailing.org/summer-camp-program

Ship ahoy! Climb aboard the historic S.S. American Victory in downtown Tampa’s Channelside District and learn about the role this fully functioning 1940s-era steamship played in WWII, and the Korean and Viet-nam Wars. Visitors can explore the ship’s radio and gyro rooms, hospital, galley, weaponry, steering stations and more. Book ahead to tour the ship

with a knowledgeable docent. americanvictory.org

Ever fed a giraffe? Now’s your chance at Giraffe Ranch, a

wildlife preserve in Dade City. Learn about native and exotic animals on

safari expeditions with knowledgeable guides. You’ll see and interact with giraffes

and camels, and even get up close to a hippo or two. Tours happen twice a day, by reservation only.

Arts enthusiasts will love a stroll through the Village of the Arts, a vibrant neighborhood where artists live and work in downtown Bradenton. Browse the galleries and in-home studios, or take in the party atmosphere

Try this for your summer fun!By Gina Vivinetto, Times correspondent

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of the art walks that happen on the first Friday night and Saturday afternoon of each month. villageofthearts.com

Soak up some nature at the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey. Ride bikes on the paved trail, take a hike, get out your rod and reel, or pitch a tent for the night in the campgrounds. You can even see some of the park’s 150 identified bird species. swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/starkey-park.html

Treehoppers Aerial Adventure Parkin Dade City is the largest zip line aerial adventure park in Central Florida. With 8

different courses, adventurers of all levels can set off on a fun challenge as they zip line from tree to tree, test their balance on bridges, climb ladders, and surf the sky. treehoppers.com

Take a walk in paradise in the 31-acre botanical garden of Eureka Springs Park in

Tampa, a favorite treasure of local plant buffs. Enjoy colorful tropical plants, a rose garden, and an orchid room. Walk the boardwalks and gaze upon a sprawling forest of maple, cy-press, and tupelo trees. There’s also a picnic area. hillsboroughcounty.org/facilities/facility/details/Eureka-Springs-Regional-Park-7934

Step back in time at the May-StringerHouse Museum, a four-story home built in the mid-1880s atop a hill that overlooks the city of Brooksville. The museum features more than 11,000 artifacts, including a large mili-tary exhibit, and guided tours with knowledge-able docents. But warning! The house has been officially “certified” as haunted! Ghost tours are available on Friday and Saturday nights. hernandohistoricalmuseum.com

The Science Center of Pinellas County is a hidden gem in northwest St. Petersburg that offers science lovers of all ages the chance to explore both the deep sea and outer space in their state-of-the-art planetarium and marine room, among other highlights. sciencecenterofpinellas.org/eic

Girls With Confidence in Tampa offers workshops, events, and camps for girls in K-12th grade that help build self-esteem and confidence. This summer, the organization offers five different themed camps that focus on friendship, body image and more. girlswithconfidence.com

Thrill seekers flock to SkyDive Cityin Zephyrhills, where experts teach newbies how to skydive and facilitate tandem dives for buddies. Experienced jumpers can leap from even higher altitudes and participate in night jumps and helicopter jumps. skydivecity.com or 813-783-9399.

Rev up your engines at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, and its adjacent Museum of Classic Automobiles. Learn about the history of drag racing and see hundreds of historic cars driven by fa-mous drivers like “Big Daddy” Garlits himself. garlits.com

Take the whole family on a hike at the Green Swamp West Tract trail in Dade City, part of the sprawling 560,000-acre Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve. The West Tract offers 46 miles of trails to hike or bike as well as bird watching, camping, fish-ing and more. swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/greenswamp-west.html

Up, up and away in my beautiful balloon! Join the gang at BigRed Balloon Sight-seeing Adventures for balloon rides that glide

above the Tampa area’s treetops, giving passengers

a panoramic view of Florida’s

most beautiful landscapes. bigredballoon.com or 813-969-1518

Here’s your chance to snorkel with the manatees. The captains at Manatee Tour and Dive are knowl-edgeable about the West Indian manatee and they’ll make your day on Crystal River a lifetime memory.

The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranchesconducts summer camp sessions at each of its two locations. Campers ages 10 to 15 will learn valuable teamwork skills through group living, decision-making and activities. The camp allows interaction with law enforcement officers in a positive manner. youthranches.org

The Weedon Island Preserve is a 3,190-acre natural area located on Tampa Bay. Indigenous peoples occupied this site for thousands of years. This hidden treasure features native plants and critters, board-walks, trails for both walking and canoeing, and a Cultural & Natural History Center. Throughout the summer, take guided hikes and attend informative programs and events including Wee Time for kids ages 3-5. Free admission. weedonislandpreserve.org

manateetouranddive.com.


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Straz Center

Florida Botanical Gardens on Ulmerton Road in Largo educates visitors by showcasing flora, fauna, and natural resourc-es in motivational surroundings that promote environmentally friendly techniques. Kids can

enjoy the Chil-dren’s Trail as mascot Flora in-troduces them to a wild, weird and wonderful

world. The gardens are open every day of the year and admission is free. flbg.org

The whole family can get shuffling from 7 to 11 p.m. every Friday night at the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club.Pack a picnic basket and enjoy live music from local bands. It’s always free and all equipment is provided. stpeteshuffle.com or [email protected].

The Great Florida Birding and Wild-life Trail (GFBWT) is a self-guided highway trail that connects more than 500 birding and wildlife-viewing sites throughout the state. The trail features detailed guide book-lets, a mobile device application, and special highway signs identifying the trail. It’s fun for the whole family.

Go to floridabirdingtrail.com for information about local sites.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer team was the first professional sports fran-chise based in the area. Home games are played at Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg. Join the fun as they kick the ball around this summer. rowdiessoccer.com

Exercise is fun along the PinellasTrail. Created along an abandoned railroad corridor, the rail provides a protected green space for walking, jogging, skating and biking from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg.

pinellascounty.org/trailgd

Escape to nature with Canoe Escape in Thonotosassa, just 16 miles from downtown Tampa. Rent a canoe or kayak for an hour or a downstream trip, or schedule a guided trip and paddle down the Hillsborough River through a cypress swamp full of Florida’s unique flora and fauna. canoeescape.com or 813-986-2067

Help a guide dog in training. The Hug A Puppy program at the Southeastern Guide Dog headquarters in Palmetto

helps future guide dogs become comfortable with people while also helping them learn to focus on their job despite distractions. It’s a fun and furry experience for kids of all ages. guidedogs.org/activities/hug-a-puppy or 941-729-5665

Spend the day at Tarpon Springsand experience life in a Greek village –right here on the Suncoast! Walk the famous sponge docks and learn how the sponges are gathered, take a relaxing boat ride, and enjoy authentic Greek food. There’s also a nearby Train Depot Museum, aquarium, and the historic St. Nicholas Cathedral. visitgreeceinflorida.com

An island getaway awaits you right here on the Suncoast. On Caladesi Island’s gor-geous white-sand beaches, you’ll feel you’ve escaped to the Caribbean. Stroll along the nature trails and enjoy the picnic tables located near the beach. There’s a marina with electrical and water hookups as well as a snack bar and gift shop. The park is only ac-cessible by boat or ferry. Service is provided by Caladesi Island Ferry. 727-734-1501

Take the kids to the movies in their pajamas at one of the Tampa Bay area’s old-fashioned drive-in movie theaters. Park the car and see a flick at the Ruskin Family Drive-in Theatre on U.S. 41 N in Ruskin, or the Fun-Lan on E Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa.

At the Bishop Planetarium in Braden-ton, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, you can lift off from Earth and fly out of our solar system to the very edge of the universe. The planetarium is the area’s premier astron-omy education facility, and the host of live music, digital art performances, lectures, and films. southfloridamuseum.org/ThePlanetariumor 941-746-4131

Long ago, Egmont Key was a military base with a small town and wandering brick paths. If you visit the area today, you’ll see

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those paths are still there, along with a light-house built in 1858, and remnants of a fort. As in the olden days, today’s visitors must still arrive by boat. No boat? Take a ferry from Fort De Soto Park. 727-398-6577

Mom, Dad and the kids will enjoy Topgolf in Tampa, a facility that allows you to golf indoors via technology. Simply swing a club to try to hit your microchipped balls into their targets. topgolf.com/us/tampa or 813-298-1811

Pinellas County’s history comes to life at Heritage Village in Largo. There are more than 28 historic structures, including a school, church, sponge warehouse, railroad depot, and store, as well as a variety of histor-ic homes. Admission is free. pinellascounty.org/heritage

Go sightseeing on the Jolley Trolleyalong Clearwater Beach or venture all the way to Dunedin, Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs.

Transfer in Dunedin and enjoy a visit to Safety Harbor or stop at Countryside Mall. The beach route runs seven days a week: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sun.-Thur. and 10 a.m. to midnight Fri.- Sat. clearwaterjolleytrolley.com

Let’s pitch a tent! The Ocala Nation-al Forest, located in North Central Florida between the Ocklawaha and St. Johns rivers, features 14 campgrounds and more than 600 lakes, rivers and springs. Go hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding, birdwatching, canoeing, snorkeling, biking, fishing, hunting or picnicking, or just enjoy a scenic drive. Cabins are also available. fs.usda.gov/Ocala or 352-669-7495

Fly a Boeing 727, an F-16 or F-35 com-bat jet, or an R-22 helicopter and never leave the ground. Flight simulators at SimCenterin Clearwater are so realistic that they’re used by professional pilots to refine their skills. simcentertampabay.com or 727-643-1781

Tropical adventures await at the Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Since 1939, the gardens’ lush vegetation has given visitors a taste of Old Florida that includes glimpses of the animals, reptiles, plants, and birds that make our state famous. Each summer, Zoo Camp for kids ages 6-13 allows campers to see plants and animals up close while learning about them from knowledgeable

guest speakers. sarasotajunglegardens.com or 877-681-6547

Explore the mysteries of spooky St. Petersburg, learn about the intrigue along the boardwalk at John’s Pass, or hear all about Tampa’s haunted houses when you spend time with the supernaturally talented storytellers of Ghost Tour. ghosttour.net or 727-398-5200

Every night at sunset, Pier 60 in Clear-water comes alive with talented musicians and street performers as well as artisans and crafters selling their goods. This family-friendly event is free every night, 365 days a year – weather permitting. sunsetsatpier60.com

Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales features 50 acres of lush gardens, a 20-room Mediterranean-style mansion to explore, and an art deco tower that “sings” twice a day. While in the area, be sure to visit Spook Hill and experience the mysterious force that seems to defy gravity and push your car to the top of the hill. boktowergardens.org or visit-centralflorida.org/destinations/spook-hill

Big Cat Rescue in Tampa is the world’s largest accredited sanctuary dedicated entirely to protecting exotic cats of the wild including lions, tigers, leopards, bobcats, cougars and more. Visitors must book tours in advance. bigcatrescue.org or 813-920-4130

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Summer Fun Guide - 2016

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