Ever been to a turtle’s birthday party? Chances are, if you answered yes, it was at the Museum of Science & History!
Each July, MOSH hosts a birthday party for its alligator snapping turtle, Tonca. The event has become a family favorite as it’s the only day of the year the public can see Tonca out of his pond. Tonca has been a visitor favorite at MOSH since his arrival in 1994 when he was rescued from a culvert on Losco Pines Boulevard in Mandarin during a construction project. In 1995, he first went on display in an indoor aquarium. Growing larger each year, Tonca received a new home just in time for his Over-the-Hill Birthday Bash in 2006 when he was moved to the Hixon Native Plant Courtyard where he lives today.
This year, for Tonca’s 49th birthday, MOSH has a plethora of activities planned, including making birthday crafts, playing games, and eating birthday treats, of course! And, critters from the Florida Naturalist’s Center will make guest appearances throughout the party. See turtles, snakes, baby alligators and other resident reptiles up close and personal. The party will kick off at 10 a.m. Party guests are invited to help Addie, MOSH’s opossum, get the party started by assisting with a fun task to earn a reward for their efforts! Another can’t-miss activity is the Donut Decorating Station sponsored by Dunkin Donuts of Cassat Avenue.
Though all the activities are fun, the highlight of the party each year is Tonca’s annual check-up. This year, MOSH is excited to welcome the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens as a partner in assisting us with hoisting Tonca from the pond for his annual exam and weigh-in. Tonca will be removed from his pond at 1 p.m. and will then travel to the Community Conference Room for his check up. Last year, Tonca tipped the scales at 180 pounds. But, he has been on a diet over the past year!
As a thank you to party attendees, all MOSH birthday parties booked the day of Tonca’s party will be 10 percent off. MOSH birthday party packages start at $100 and include two hours of a private party room and a $10 gift card to The MOSH Store for the birthday child. Packages can be customized to include planetarium programs, animal encounters and more. And, this summer, MOSH has a special dinosaur-themed party in celebration of our summer exhibit, Dinosaurs Unearthed.
Be sure to check out Dinosaurs Unearthed while you’re attending Tonca’s Birthday Party. Though the exhibit itself is located on the second floor, the exhibit comes to life as soon as you reach the Museum’s entrance. A 39-foot-long T. rex is perched on MOSH’s front lawn just waiting to greet each and every visitor. And as if that isn’t exciting enough, the T. rex comes to life – moving and roaring before your eyes!
Can’t make it to Tonca’s Birthday? The following Saturday – July 18 – MOSH will host Buddy the Dinosaur from the hit PBS series “Dinosaur Train.” There’s something going on all summer long at MOSH from Summer Discovery Camps to daily Extreme Science! shows in the JEA Science Theater. The best part of all? It all takes place in air conditioned comfort!
For more information about Tonca’s Birthday Party, or any of MOSH’s programs, visit themosh.org or call 396.MOSH (6674).
Thank you MOSH for sponsoring this post.
About the Author
The Museum of Science & History (MOSH) is located at 1025 Museum Circle near Friendship Park. MOSH, first chartered in 1941, inspires the joy of lifelong learning by bringing to life the sciences and regional history. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Thursday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for active and retired military; seniors; and children ages 3 through 12. There is no admission fee for children 2 and under or museum members. Admission is $5 on Fridays. Learn more at www.themosh.org.
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