A Night of Stars
with Fresh Air Family and the Hampton Inn
Daphne, Ala. --- “Stars” will be falling on Alabama the weekend of April 21 at the “Nature on the Bay” Hampton Inn in Daphne. The Lyrids meteor shower, known for its bursts of bright“shooting stars” will be at its peak on a moonless night. A telescope and an astronomer fromFresh Air Family will be on hand to guide both new and experienced stargazers to see thecelestial fireworks and to enjoy a weekend of nature adventures.
“We have the perfect bayside view to see the stars burst over the water. We are lookingforward to a magical night, “Lee Gayle, General Manager Hampton Inn Daphne.
A special hotel package has been arranged at the Hampton Daphne for stargazers. All eventsare free and open to the public and are sponsored by the “Nature on the Bay” Hampton Inn Daphne Alabama. Fresh Air Family, Alabama’s largest provider of outdoor education, isproviding the programs.
“We love working with people who place such value on their beautiful natural settings like“Nature on the Bay.” There is so much for us to see-- from the skies to under the water!” saidVerna Gates, Founder and Executive Director of Fresh Air Family, Inc.
The events begin on Friday night and last through Sunday morning with events includingstargazing and nature walks with Fresh Air Family Biologist, Carl Sloan. On Saturday morning, aspecial Hikes for Tykes, a storytelling stroll for children will be led by Verna Gates, an award-winning storyteller and the founder of Fresh Air Family.
The schedule of hotel package events at the Hampton Inn, Daphne, “Nature on the Bay.”:
Friday, April 20
5-7 sunset reception at the Hampton Inn with refreshments and snacks
7:30 lecture featuring Carl Sloan describing the Lyrids and other heavenly orbs.
8 pm until ?: the telescope and astronomer, Carl Sloan, will be available for all to share in themagic from the hotel balcony overlooking Mobile Bay.
Saturday, April 21
6 am – 10 am sumptuous hot breakfast buffet at the Hampton Inn bayside lobby.
10 am Hikes for Tykes takes children of all ages on an enchanted nature tour on the “Gator Alley” boardwalk. The tour will be filled with fairies, dragons, and other mystical creatures withstoryteller, Verna Gates. Stroller accessible.
Noon – lunch on your own
3 pm – Meet to go to a nature walk at Five Rivers Delta with Fresh Air Family biologist, CarlSloan. He loves to find turtles and slimy salamanders –it will be a journey of discovery forchildren of all ages in the wetlands that teem with life.
5 pm – 7:00 Hampton reception “Nature on the Bay” Hampton Inn provides a balcony with aperfect view of birds fishing in the bay along with hot and cold refreshments and snacks. Bringyour binoculars!
6 pm –Dinner on your own
8 pm – The Lyrids are at their peak! Come and see the spectacle through the telescope in a tour with Carl Sloan.
The Hampton Inn is offering special room packages for $99 for creekside and $119 for Bayside rooms with private balconies per night for all participants. Make your package reservations at www.natureonthebay.com special package FAF code or Register for the public events at Events@FreshAirFamily.org or call 205-540-6642 or 205-401-0245 for more information.
About Fresh Air Family
Fresh Air Family, Inc. is Alabama’s largest provider of outdoor education programs, offeringmore than 400 activities a year, 10 day camps for children and youth, two afterschool programsand a home school program. Celebrating its sixth year, the organization is a grassroots, kid-driven organization dedicated to environmental scientific education, youth leadership, outdoorexploration, healthful lifestyles and families, and an appreciation of the beautiful andbiologically diverse state of Alabama. Fresh Air Family is a 501(c)3 non-profit supported by thegenerous donations of sponsors, foundations and individuals. Membership and mostadventures are free or low cost. Visit www.FreshAirFamily.org for more information.
About Nature on the Bay:
Located on the shore of the Mobile Bay, the Hampton Inn Daphne “Nature on the Bay” hotel provides an unequaled experience on the Eastern Shore. Bay view rooms with private balconies feature soothing colors and spectacular views of Mobile Bay, and the newly redesigned lobby features it own balcony and ample seating for our delicious hot On the House® breakfast and great Sunset Reception. The area surrounding the Hampton Inn Daphne is filled with exciting and fun attractions. Get outdoors and enjoy great hiking, walking, and biking trails that run throughout the area. The hotel sits on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail and kayak and canoe rentals are nearby at the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center which showcases the area’s environment and its fascinating natural inhabitants. Beaches, shopping and historic attractions are all located within minutes of the hotel. For more information visit: www.natureonthebay.com
