Whalefest Monterey to be held at Old Fishermans Wharf in Monterey on January 21, 2012

Jan. 5, 2012 - PRLog -- PUBLICITY CONTACT: WENDY BRICKMAN
                   (831) 633-4444 or brickman@brickmanmarketing.com

Whalefest Monterey to be held at Old Fishermans Wharf in Monterey on January 21, 2012

"Whale Watching Capital of the World!"

January 3, 2012. Monterey, CA. Don't miss a free fun family event for all ages that celebrates the Monterey Bay, Old Fisherman's Wharf, and whales, while benefiting many local marine organizations. Come out and enjoy many dynamic, interesting and fun events and informative exhibits from over 30 marine organizations, 8 lectures by world renowned marine experts, 6 marine-themed documentaries, 3 local maritime authors, 2 presentations, and a 60' gray whale! WHALEFEST MONTEREY will be held at Old Fisherman's Wharf located at #1 Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey, California near the Custom House on Saturday, January 21, 2012 from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. WHALEFEST MONTEREY is held in January during the migration of the gray whales, although whales are spotted  in the Monterey Bay year-round.

The Old Fisherman's Wharf Association is sponsoring WHALEFEST MONTEREY, a fundraising event to benefit many local marine conservation non-profit organizations. The day will feature a wide array of fun activities including a Scavenger Hunt, an indoor bocce tournament on Fisherman's Wharf, a 60-foot gray whale to climb inside, the Yacht Club Remote-Controlled Sailing Regatta, Chalk Art, Squid & Face Painting, Monterey’s Whaling History Walking Tours led by author and historian Tim Thomas, Coast Guard Boat Tours, Randy’s Guided Whale Watching (half-price for kids), a Golden QR Code Search and a ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle).

There will be many fascinating documentary screenings at the Museum of Monterey’s Stanton Center Theater, including “Vaquita-The Search for The Desert Porpoise” shown by the American Cetacean Society,  “Bag It” shown by BLUE, A Global Oceans Film & Conservation Summit, “In the Wake of Giants”, “The Humpback Code”, Sea Ghosts”, and “Ocean Voyagers”.

Featured maritime authors will include Mara Kerr, author of Oceanus, The Healing Power of Love, and Executive Producer of the award winning documentary, "In the Wake of Giants", and Tim Thomas, author of The Japanese on the Monterey Peninsula and The Monterey Waterfront.

Two presentations in the Wharf Theater, “Whales on Wheels" and "Marine Mammals:  Adaptations and Communication" will be presented by Save the Whales.

Among the talented musicians playing on the Wharf will be The Whales and Nick Fettis, The Locksmith, Wharfside Stompers, Jonah and the Whale Watchers, Michael Brautovich, the Monterey Peninsula Academy of Music, and the Pacific Grove Middle School Jazz Combo.

Lecturers include Paul Michel, Superintendent, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary; Bill Douros, Acting Deputy Director, Office of National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA; Mark DiOrio, Capital Campaign Director, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation; Geoff Shester, Pacific Programs Director, Oceana; and Peggy Stap, Founder and Executive Director, Marine Life Studies, and Jenna Cantuchio, Education Coordinator, Marine Life Studies; Diane Glim, Past President, American Cetacean Society – Monterey Bay Chapter, !Viva Vaquita!; and Feodor Pitcairn, Owner of Feodor Pitcairn Productions (to be confirmed)..

Schedule of activities (subject to change)

Around and on Fisherman’s Wharf:

    9:00 AM- 4:00 PM, Golden QR Code Search
    9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Music
         The Whales and Nick Fettis
         The Locksmith
         Jonah and the Whale Watchers
         Wharfside Stompers
         The Monterey Bay Academy of Music
         Michael Brautovich
         Pacific Grove Middle School Jazz Combo
         and more
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Extraordinary Sea Creatures from Save Our Shores

On the Wharf:
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM NOAA’s 60’ Gray Whale
12:00 PM -4:00 PM Smiley Orca Face Painting

City Dock: 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM
    Coast Guard Boat Tours
    Monterey Academy of Oceanographic Science (MAOS) ROV

Upstairs at Gilbert’s Restaurant: Bocce Tournament
Check in at 9:30 AM Game start at 10:00 AM,: $20.00 per person donation, includes raffle ticket and WHALEFEST MONTEREY t-shirt. Open to players 12 or older. Pre-registration is required for this double elimination event by calling Bob Massaro at (831) 649-6544 or email bmassaro@bostrommanagement.com.  

Museum of Monterey, Stanton Center Theater, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
   
    Documentaries/Lecturers and Authors:  

    Paul Michel, Superintendent of The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
    Diane Glim, Past President, American Cetacean Society, !Viva Vaquita!
              “In Search of The Desert Porpoise”
    Geoff Shester, Oceana, California Program Director
    Jenna Contuchio, Marine Life Studies, Educational Director
              “Bag It”
    Bill Douros, Acting Deputy Director, Office of National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA
    Mark DiOrio, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
              “In The Wake of Giants”,  “The Humpback Code”
    Peggy Stap, Director and Founder of Marine Life Studies,
    Whales & Dolphins of Monterey Bay & W.E.T. (Whale Entanglement Team)
    “Sea Ghosts”
    “Ocean Voyagers” Feodor  Pitcairn (to be confirmed)

Whale Watching Tours:
    Randy’s Guided Whale Watching will offer 1/2 off for kids 12 and under, 2 kids per adult maximum at 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM.

Registration and Information at Head of Wharf:
    9:00 AM- 4:00 PM Raffle tickets: $1.00 per ticket and $5.00 for 6 tickets.
 
    10:00-12:00, Beach Clean Up: organized by Save Our Shores; no charge
    Please bring gloves and buckets.  

    10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM, Tim Thomas will give Walking Tours of Whaling History of Monterey, 12 and over $5.00 donation to the Marine non- profits.

    11:00 PM - 3:00 PM, Scavenger Hunt:  Donation of $10.00 per adult, $5.00 (6-12), 5 and under free.

At Paluca Trattoria, 11:00 AM  - 2:00 PM, Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club Remote Control Sailing Regatta
 
At Rappa’s Restaurant:

    12:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Squid and Fish Painting

    12:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Chalk Art

At the Wharf Theater:

    2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Save The Whales presents Whales On Wheels "WOW"
         hands-on interactive program (for all ages).

    3:15 PM  - 4:15 PM Save The Whales presents Marine Mammals:
         Adaptations & Communication hands-on interactive program (for all ages).

The Scavenger Hunt will be a timed event from11:00 AM to 3:00 PM with 1st,
2nd & 3rd place prizes and registration fees are $10 per adult, $5 (5-12 years) and free (5 and under) which includes a T-shirt and raffle tickets. Check-in is from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM with awards presented at 1:00 PM and participants must be present to win. The awards ceremony will be held at 3:00 PM.

The Smiley Orca Face Painting Artist will be available from Noon to 4:00 PM providing face painting that starts at $5.

For more information, to volunteer or to become a sponsor, call Bob Massaro at (831) 649-6544 or email  bmassaro@bostrommanagement.com and check out the website at www.montereywharf.com.

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