Ecology Fair a Family Hit Activities Are Fun but Also Pack a Message

Beginning of article

With four grandchildren under 6 years old in tow, Delores Gallegos said she simply stumbled into the most fun the youngsters had seen since she'd come from Texas for a family visit.

"The kids had more fun here than anywhere," said Gallegos, who had already been to Disney World and St. Augustine and only discovered yesterday's Ecology Fair at The Jacksonville Landing during a chance outing to the riverfront venue.

With lizards and snakes to touch and freebies from posters and pencils to Earth-shaped yoyos and foam manatees, the fair was geared heavily toward instilling an ecological awareness in the youngest generation.

A generation ago that awareness and …