Snooty’s New Mascot and Annual Birthday Bash at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton
By: Carol Erickson
Drum roll please…the new and official mascot for Snooty, the oldest manatee in captivity has just been announced. And the winner is … Foster Swartz!! Foster is a highly creative local 18 year old who immediately stole the hearts of the judges and the audience.
If you haven’t already heard, Snooty is a Florida male manatee that resides at the South Florida Museum’s Parker Manatee Aquarium in Bradenton. At age 69, he is one of the first recorded and oldest manatees in captivity. Snooty was never released into the wild and the only known manatee that has regular interaction with people. Throughout the years, his birthday celebrations have grown to be a part of many family traditions and a wonderful symbol for wildlife conservation. So it was quite an honor to be chosen as the new mascot and ambassador for such a legend. Swartz was announced the winner and enthusiastically accepted his position. He will officially represent Snooty at many of the area events starting with the big birthday celebration this Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm in the Spanish Plaza in the exterior of the museum at 201 10th St.W. Admission to the party is free, with reduced admission to the museum, planetarium and aquarium ($9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $7 for children 4-12, free for younger children with a paying adult). Free beverages, food and activities will be provided for children. Regional wildlife organizations will present exhibits and Snooty will enjoy his usual birthday cake of raw fruit and vegetables. For more information about the museum, call 941-746-4131 or visit SouthFloridaMuseum.org.
Happy Birthday Snooty – 69 and counting!! See You Next Year!!!
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Who will Win the Role of the South Florida Museum’s New Snooty Mascot?
Audition of potential mascots to find out who will play the role of the South Florida Museum’s new Snooty mascot.
This land-based (of course!) volunteer position will support Museum outreach in the community and help to educate the public about manatees.
See how well the would-be Snooties shake their booties and create their own signature Snooty moves. Candidates will be evaluated by a panel of distinguished judges. The ideal candidate will bring an authentic Snooty personality to the performance.
The new Snooty mascot will make his first official appearance during Snooty’s Birthday Bash & Wildlife Festival.
