Families, Parks and Recreation

ORLANDO, FLORIDA –, 2008 – A Swan Festival and Swan Soiree benefiting the Lake Eola swans and The Regal Swan® Foundation, Inc., will be held at downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola Park on Saturday, October 18 with festivities beginning at 8 a.m. and running through 2 p.m., followed by an evening of entertainment.

On that day, at 8 a.m, the 2nd annual Veterinary Medical Exam Program will kick-off the festival’s activities. The swans will be herded into temporary holding pens where they will be examined. This medical program along with a special feeding program was implemented last year by the City of Orlando Families, Parks and Recreation Department and Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan in an effort to provide standardized medical care to the park’s signature swans. In August, Orange Lake Orlando donated feeders to supplement the swans’ dietary needs during the city’s inaugural swan feeding program.

Following the roundup, The Regal Swan® veterinarians, Dr. Christopher W. Brown of Orlando and Dr. Geoffrey R. Gardner of Lakeland, will conduct health exams, weigh, microchip, and vaccinate the swans. The swans will then be released back onto Lake Eola.

A free Swan Festival, free to the public, follows the release of the birds. Food, arts, crafts and other items may be purchased during the event. However, special informational tables/booths will be provided throughout the park for those wishing to make donations to benefit the swans. They will also have a box to collect men’s ties which are used to secure the swans during the medical checkups.

A black-tie Swan Soiree at the park’s amphitheater from 7 p.m. until 9:30 p.m closes the fundraising event. Scheduled acts include world-renowned entertainers including composer and pianist, Stephen Scotti; bass-baritone Richard Malone and lyric soprano and classical guitarist, Patricia Tovah Stevens from the Richard Wagner Music Festival in Bayreuth, Germany. Highlights of the evening’s events include special performances of The Dying Swan and Swan Lake by the Russian Ballet of Orlando; the Rollins College Ballroom Dancers; trombonist Kerry Couch; mezzo soprano, Meredith Woodend from the Orlando Opera; tenor, Johnny Maytos; The Dr. Phillip’s Concert Choir; and The Elizabeth Parson’s School of Dance.

The Swan Soiree is limited to the first 900 ticket buyers. The tickets are $50 donation per person. Those wishing to make a higher donation to the benefactors may do so at this time. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis with some seating reserved for special guests and dignitaries. Ticket sites will be announced soon!

Gold Sponsors for the event include: The City of Orlando Families, Parks and Recreation, The Family of Orange Lake Resorts Orlando, Gatorland®, Wildlife Solutions, and Joe’s Crab Shack. Anyone wishing to set up a booth, to help sponsor the events, or to learn more about the events taking place on that day may contact Leo Falcon, Lake Eola Park Manager at (407) 246-2827.

All proceeds from the Swan Festival and the Swan Soiree benefit the Lake Eola Park Swans through The Regal Swan® Foundation, Inc., a 5013c non-profit organization. (Registration: # CH25152. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.