Summer Solstice at Shell Mound

People have gathered at Shell Mound for more than 1500 years to celebrate the summer solstice. Come and join Friends of Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys NWRs and the Florida Public Archaeology Network for this year's gathering. Learn about the place where Shell Mound was built centuries ago . . . a huge, wind-formed dune aligned with the solstices.

When: Sunday, June 20th, 9:00 to noon
Where: On CR 326, three miles off CR 347, on the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, near Cedar Key

The Schedule:

• Any time -- Self-guided walks along the interpreted Shell Mound trail and the nearby Dennis Creek trail
• Any time -- The tides will be good if you want to bring a kayak and paddle around near Hog Island or the Long Cabbage islands on your own for a bit.
• Any time -- Visit information tables
• 9:30 and 10:30 -- Guided tours of the Shell Mound trail, with Dr. Ginessa Mahar
• 10:15 and 11:15 -- Seaside talks by Dr. Ken Sassaman about  the celestial events that inspired the building of the Shell Mound and the centuries-long tradition of solstice gatherings at this spot.
• After Program -- Archaeologist guided kayak tour, with a limited number of particiapnts, starting at 12:30pm. Tides require return before 2:00. Pre-registration is required. Click here, on  Eventbrite,  to register. You need to bring your own kayak and be skilled enough for an open water paddle.
  

What to Bring: sunscreen, water, shoes for a trail walk, hat and clothes for protection from insects, bug spray

To learn more about the natural and cultural history of the Shell Mound site before coming, you may want to look over the interpretive panels or read the short guide book, Shell Mound: A Portal into Another World, on our Shell Mound website page.