Northern Beaches Council’s Manly Environment Centre is celebrating the 24th Ocean Care Day Festival, a free community event by the sea with 45+ eco-exhibitors, live entertainment, kids activities and much, much more (Sunday 3 December, 10.30am – 4.30pm, Manly Ocean Beach).

Celebrating the theme ‘Make Our Sea Plastic Free’, this year’s Ocean Care Day Festival kicks off at 10am with a ‘Marine Parade’ from Manly Ferry Wharf to Manly Ocean Beach via The Corso, complete with a Samba Band.

Join the parade dressed in your best marine inspired outfit! Come as a mermaid!  Or as old King Neptune! Or as a shark, fish or penguin! Or in your best plastic bag outfit!

The 10.30am launch event at Manly Ocean Beach will feature an Aboriginal smoking ceremony, dancers and a didgeridoo.

Eco-exhibitors will include the ‘Friends of Cabbage Tree Bay’ with a great line-up of musicians, speakers and kids’ activities.

Meet Manly’s famous Penguin Wardens. Pop into the Art Tent hosting local artists and make your own art recycling plastic.

Visit the Ocean Lab to learn about our wonderful marine creatures from experts and scientists.

Enjoy live music throughout the day.

“The festival is a fun, interactive and all-inclusive community event to raise awareness of the environmental issues we face today,” said Northern Beaches Mayor, Michael Regan.

“Most importantly, the Ocean Care Day Festival aims to provide information to people that will empower them to take action and make lifestyle choices which will create positive outcomes for themselves, the wider community - locally and globally - and the environment.”

For a full program, contact the Manly Environment Centre on 02 9976 2842.

For further information, go to their website at www.mec.org.au