Whalefest Monterey to be Held at Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey on January 26th and January 27th

Jan. 16, 2013 - PRLog -- PUBLICITY CONTACT: WENDY BRICKMAN
                   (831) 633-4444 or brickman@brickmanmarketing.com

Whalefest Monterey to be Held at Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey on Saturday, January 26th and Sunday, January 27th, 2013  
"Whale Watching Capital of the World!"

December 18, 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 and other organizations, 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  26, 2013 and Sunday, January 27, 2013 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 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 in association with California State Parks, Monterey Academy of Oceanographic Sciences (MAOS), Monterey History and Art Association and BLUE, A Global Oceans Film & Conservation Summit. The day will feature a wide array of fun activities including a special marine-themed concert with Barbara Joy and a Community Children's Chorus (3:00 PM at the Wharf Theater). Tim Thomas will conduct “Wharf Walks” at 10:00 AM, Noon and 2:00 PM both days, MAOS (Monterey Academy of Oceanographic Science) will bring a Remote Operated Vehicle, a “Take It to the Streets Clean-Up” will be organized by Marine Life Studies and a beach clean-up by the Wahine Project, and a costumed otter, whale, sea turtle and jelly fish wandering the Wharf and explaining about the marine environment provided by Save the Whales, a 60-foot gray whale to climb inside, the Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club Remote-Controlled Sailing Regatta, Monterey’s Fire Boat will shower the marina with water, Monterey’s Whaling History Walking Tours led by author and historian Tim Thomas, Coast Guard Inflatable Search and Rescue and a 47’ Coast Guard Motor Life Boat, PUACF will demonstrate fish net mending, Randy’s Guided Whale Watching (half-price for kids), and a ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle), and a concierge desk for information staffed by the Monterey Library.

During her Special Concert Appearance with the Community Children’s Chorus at 3:00 PM at the Wharf Theater, Barbara Joy and the children will perform songs including her original composition, "Don’t Let Us Go,” a heart-touching song dedicated to the oceans and marine wildlife. Barbara Joy is a singer/songwriter/guitarist and recording artist. She performs in concerts and on stages across the country. She also writes musical themes for nonprofits and performs in concert with children and choruses at fundraising events. Also appearing: Peggy Stap of Marine Life Studies will be there with her dog, "Whiskie the Whale Spotter™" who will do whale tricks! Concert presented by Marine Life Studies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching and inspiring the public to protect the environment and marine wildlife. www.marinelifestudies.org

Among the other talented musicians playing on the Wharf will be The Whales and Nick Fettis and many others.

Lecturers include Steve Palumbi of Hopkins Marine Station and Peggy Stap of Marine Life Studies, and more. Save the Whales will have two presentations that day.  
Most activities are free of charge.

Schedule (subject to change):

Saturday, January 26, 2012
10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.  "Take It to The Streets" with Street Clean Up by Marine Life Studies
10:00 am.12:00 pm, 2:00 pm Wharf Walks with Maritime Historian Tim Thomas
2:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m. Bryant Austin Lecture at MOM

Wharf Theater
12:00 p.m. -1:00 p.m. Save the Whales Presentation

Whales on Wheels
1:00 p.m. – 2;00 p.m. Save the Whales Presentation

Adaptationjs and Communications
3:00 pm, Marine Life Studies presents a free concert with Barbara Joy and a Community Children's Chorus. Barbara Joy and the children will perform songs including their original composition, "Don't Let Us Go", a heart-touching song dedicated to the oceans and marine wildlife. Also appearing: Peggy Stap of Marine Life Studies will be there with her dog, "Whiskie the Whale Spotter™" who will perform whale tricks! Limited seating. Barbara Joy is a singer/songwriter/guitarist and recording artist. She performs in concerts and on stages across the country. She also composes musical themes for nonprofits and performs in concert with children and choruses at fundraising events.
12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Smiley Orca Face Painting

Sunday, January 27, 2012
10 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Beach Clean Up with The Wahine Project
10:00 am., 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm Wharf Walks with Maritime Historian Tim Thomas
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Smiley Orca Face Painting
Lectures and documentaries by BLUE Ocean Film Festival at MOM
These films were selected with a focus on raising awareness about whales and understanding of the role the ocean plays in our daily lives.

12:00pm Collection of Shorts    15 min
Fish Tale: My Secret Life As Plankton  

Ocean Oases
Sea Jellies: A Summer Swarm in Monterey

Oceans at the Tipping Point   25 min

Ocean Giants   60 min
2:30pm     Planet Ocean   90 min

Participating Marine Conservation Organizations:
The participating marine conservation organizations that will line the Causeway at Old Fisherman’s Wharf (some are worldwide and some are only based in Monterey) include American Cetacean Society - Monterey Bay Chapter,  BLUE, A Global Oceans Film & Conservation Summit,  California State Parks, Camp SEA Lab, City of Monterey, Sustainability Department, Department of Fish and Game, Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, History Fest, Hopkins Marine Station, Marine Life Studies, MAOS (Monterey Academy of Oceanographic Science),  Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Education Department, Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation, Monterey History and Art Association,  Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club, Monterey Public Library, Monterey Regional Waste Management, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, NOAA, Marine Protected Areas, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, Pacific Shark Research Center, PUACF, Save Our Shores, Save The Whales, Shoreline Operations , Fire Boat, Surfrider Foundation-Monterey Chapter, The Marine Mammal Center, The Otter Project, The Wahine Project, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, United States Coast Guard, and Waste Management. Other supporting organizations include the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

WHALEFEST MONTEREY is sponsored by Old Fisherman's Wharf Association, California State Parks, BLUE, A Global Oceans Film & Conservation Summit, MAOS (Monterey Academy of Oceanographic Science) and Monterey History and Art Association. Special thanks go to The Wharf Theater. The mission of WHALEFEST MONTEREY is to bring public awareness to the dynamic marine organizations that affect the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
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.