This weekend will be a very busy one at the Shell Factory & Nature Park. With COVID restrictions now eased, the historic attraction is going full on to start the tourist season.

On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Shell Factory will host a CrocaGator National Bullying Prevention Month event to encourage children to speak up, reach out, and be a friend. All kids will be able to gain free admission into the nature park when accompanied by a paying adult.

“We were asked to host this event and are proud to do so. It’s close to everyone’s heart. We support children and want them to have fun and happy lives,” said Shell Factory general manager Anne Sheridan. “We want to help them feel better about themselves.”

The event to be held Oct. 17 will feature tie-dying a CrocaGator shirt, sidewalk chalking and poster signing anti-bully pledges, taking pictures with CrocaGator Sonny, free cotton candy for all children while supplies last, free anti-bullying bracelet with a secret message, viewing a plant project donated by World Farms in Naples, face painting, a book reading of “You’re a Bullied CrocaGator” by author Kenny Rager and discounts at the Shell Factory all day.

The event is hosted by the Nature Park & Environmental Education Foundation and You’re a CrocaGator. Those making a donation will receive a plant of their choice.

Meanwhile, The Shell Factory will provide giveaways and event participation bracelets to all children as well as raffle for a one-on-one encounter with a sloth, under the supervision of a park trainer.

The Shell Factory asks children to wear orange to support National Bullying Prevention Month, as it is inspired by a nationwide campaign that brings bullying prevention to the forefront. Founded in 2006 by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, it is now recognized by hundreds of schools and organizations via educational and awareness-related activities every October.

The appearance of Rager is part of another event at the Shell Factory, where local authors will gather throughout the store to meet shoppers, offer their work for sale and sign them from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be a free drawing for great prizes.

“We’re really excited. The authors look forward to it every year. We have six authors this year and they’ll be spaced throughout the store,” Sheridan said.

The authors will be Rager, Pam Fischer, Rose M. Rose, Connie Hope, Kathleen Ballentine and Richard Fosse.

For more information, call 995-2141 or go online to www.shellfactory.com.