Anyone who wants to go on safari and bring home some precious game should keep April 10 open for the fifth annual Santa Maria Safari.
The museum-themed adventure begins at noon at base camp—Santa Maria Public Library’s Shepard Hall—and children will receive a free copy of Zoobooks Magazine, courtesy of Altrusa International of the Central Coast, and their own passport that will allow the adventurers to trek to all five destinations (i.e. museums) free of charge.
“The goal is to have families visit and want to go back [to the museums],” librarian Jenn Harmer said. She added that not too many families are aware of the museums in Santa Maria.
During the safari, children will need to keep an eye out for representatives from the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, who will be handing out giant strawberries.
After leaving base camp, families will venture along South McClelland Street to visit the Natural History Museum, the Railroad Historical Museum, the Historical Society Museum, and the Discovery Museum. After families have seen the best of South McClelland, they’ll jump on one of three SMOOTH vans for a free ride to the Santa Maria Museum of Flight.
At every museum, passports will be stamped and museum raffle tickets will be handed out for special safari prizes.
The safari will be on a first come, first served basis, but no one will be turned away, Harmer said.
For more information on the event, call 925-0994 or e-mail jharmer@ci.santa-maria.ca.us.
Intern Henry Houston compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamaria sun.com.
This article appears in Mar 17-24, 2011.