Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Parts of Green Bay will be taken over by turtles this coming weekend. Twin Lakes State Park is hosting the second annual Turtle “Shellebration” on Saturday, May 18 from 1 until 4 p.m. in the Discovery Area.

The event will include turtle-themed games, face painting and a photo station where you can put on a turtle shell costume and take a ‘shell-fie’. The kid-focused event is built around Park Ranger Myrtle the Turtle, as part of World Turtle Day.

“Join us to celebrate Ranger Myrtle and learn about best practices to keep her and her turtle friends safe,” said Twin Lakes State Park Manager Kevin Faubion. “Our Turtle Shellebration is a fun way to bring the community together and highlight the importance of turtles in the ecosystem.” 

Turtle-themed merchandise will be available for purchase from the Friends of Twin Lakes State Park, an all-volunteer nonprofit group that works to support Twin Lakes State Park through fundraising and volunteerism. 

World Turtle Day was created as a yearly observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles. American Tortoise Rescue is a nonprofit organization that uses a sanctuary to assist and rehome turtles and tortoises. 

“Virginia State Parks will also be celebrating National Kids to Parks Day, so this event is perfect for kids of all ages to experience the park and discover what makes nature so wonderful,” said Faubion. “This national day was created to connect families with the outdoors as well as to their local parks. We are thankful to our Friends group that help make this annual event so special.”

The Turtle Shellebration is free to attend, but the regular $7 parking fee does apply.