Meet Bradenton's local celebrity Snooty and join the celebrations of the world's oldest known Manatee. Snooty will turn 66 this year at his Birthday Bash, Arts and Wildlife Awareness Festival on July 19th. The annual event will be hosted by the South Florida Museum in Bradenton with food, children's games and activities, wildlife awareness presentations about manatees and entertainment.

Snooty, a West Indian manatee was born on July 21, 1948 moving on to become a permanent resident of South Florida Museum since 1949 and is the Manatee County's official mascot and helps educate visitors about manatees.

Snooty's birthday bash festivities preceded earlier this month with a Birthday card contest and lettuce-eating competition. The finale of the festivities will follow on Saturday 19th July with visitors singing “Happy Birthday” to Snooty as he is presented with his birthday cake of fruit and veggies with treats for the kids and the Birthday card contest winners. There is reduced general admission offered to the museum ($8 for adults, $6 for children ages 4 – 12).This annual Birthday Bash, Arts and Wildlife Awareness Festival draws nearly 5,000 visitors each year in downtown Bradenton.

South Florida Museum is the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida's Gulf Coast, featuring engaging exhibits as well as educational programs which interpret the scientific and cultural knowledge of Florida, the world and our universe. For further information please visit www.SouthFloridaMuseum.org

Seven nights in Bradenton, Florida from £1,680 per adult and £987.50 per child

Fly from Gatwick with British Airways on July 18 and spend seven nights at the Best Western Plus  Bradenton.  This package is based on a family of four sharing room only accommodation, flights, and car hire. Subject to availability at the time of booking. For more information or to book visit www.americaasyoulikeit.com or call 020 8742 8299.

For more information on Bradenton/Anna Maria Island/ Longboat Key please visit: http://www.bradentongulfislands.com/

- Ends -

Located between St. Petersburg and Sarasota on Florida's west coast, Anna Maria Island & Longboat Key, and their coastal companions, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch, are treasured for their authentic Old Florida charm, breath-taking scenery, funky dining and shopping districts, and 16 miles of sugar-white sands.

For further press information contact Claire@goshpr.co.uk or call 02073676745