Live music, seafood dinner, silent auction among highlights
The best way to learn about the Gulf is to get out on it, and the Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory’s annual Sharks & Chablis fundraiser will be held on Saturday, May 19, to raise money for a new research boat. This year’s much-anticipated event will generate funds to go specifically toward the C-Hawk Turtle Rescue & Offshore Specimen Research boat, dedicated to the discovery, research, and preservation of marine life.
“We’re thrilled to host our annual Sharks & Chablis event to benefit a new research boat,” says Cypress Rudloe, executive director of the Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory, located in Panacea. “It’s such a pleasure every year to bring together local businesses, community leaders, and residents alike to enjoy themselves while raising funds for the lab’s many important research programs.”
This year’s Sharks & Chablis event, which will run from 4-8 p.m., will feature activities for all ages, including the laboratory itself where guests can explore and learn about marine life specimens, as well as unique exhibits from local zoos and wildlife centers, and a silent auction with donated items from local businesses and artisans. The evening will also include a seafood dinner catered by the Seineyard Seafood Restaurant, as well as live performances from local bands Wakulla Rising and Hot Tamale.
“Sharks & Chablis is a fantastic event dedicated to encouraging education and research. Not only that, but it’s a time for the community to come together and enjoy food, live music, and the wonders of marine life specimen,” says Jack Rudloe, president of the world-renowned laboratory. “The lab is a unique place for the public to learn more about marine life and how we can all protect these species.”
The Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory is a non-profit organization focused on conducting research and providing resources for education on marine life knowledge and conservation. With its state-of-the-art technology, exhibits, and programs, the lab is involved in research programs across North America and Europe, including research with biomedical institutions for potential new pharmaceuticals.
Tickets for Sharks & Chablis are $40, which includes open access to all exhibits and activities, dinner, and two drinks. To help make this year’s Sharks & Chablis come to life, please consider becoming a sponsor for the event. The event’s current sponsors include some of the leading companies in the area, such as Waste Pro, Rocky’s, and Prime Meridian Bank.
For more information about the 2018 Sharks & Chablis event, please visit gulfspecimen.org. To buy your tickets, become a sponsor, or donate items for the silent auction, please call (850) 985-5297 or email to [email protected].
The Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory is located at 222 Clark Drive, Panacea, FL.
