KENANSVILLE, Fla. — Alligators are a familiar part of life in Florida, but there’s much more to these powerful reptiles than most people realize. Each year, Wild Florida Adventure Park’s Gator Week gives families an opportunity to get a closer look at the American alligator while learning about crocodilians and supporting graduating students right here in Osceola County.
Held May 26-31, 2025, Gator Week brought six days of demonstrations, educational programs, competitions and family-friendly activities to Wild Florida’s Gator Park in Kenansville.
More than just a celebration of one of Florida’s most recognizable animals, the annual event is designed to separate fact from fiction about alligators and help visitors better understand the important role they play in Florida’s ecosystem.
Throughout the week, Wild Florida’s animal care team showcased alligator behavior through its popular Feeding Frenzy, while the Gator Call Competition challenged visitors to try their hand at communicating like a crocodilian. Exotic Animal Shows provided opportunities to meet some of the park’s other residents up close.
But Gator Week also had an important mission beyond wildlife education.
Admission to the Gator Park was free with any cash donation to the Wild Florida Cares Scholarship Fund, with money raised benefiting scholarships for graduating Osceola County high school seniors as they continue their education.
“Gator Week is one of our favorite times of the year because it brings people together to learn, have fun, and make a real difference,” said PJ Brown, Director of Sales at Wild Florida. “We get to share what makes these animals so incredible while also giving back to local students through our scholarship fund.”
Each day offered visitors something different. Guests wearing Crocs during Rock Your Crocs Day received free chow to feed the park’s alligators and crocodiles, while Fluffy’s “cousins” took on a custom obstacle course during the park’s entertaining Obstacle Relay.
Visitors also put their own skills to the test during the Gator Slushie Drinking Contest, racing to finish a green slushie without using their hands, and the Jump-Like-A-Gator Competition, inspired by an alligator’s ability to launch itself vertically out of the water.
The week concluded with Croc Education with Wild Florida’s Croc Squad, giving visitors a deeper look at different crocodilian species, how they are cared for and what makes each one unique.
Guests could also spin a prize wheel for $5, with opportunities to win gator feeding experiences, barnyard activities and other Wild Florida experiences, adding another way to support the cause.
For Wild Florida, the annual event reflects the park’s broader commitment to conservation, wildlife education and the Osceola County community.
“It’s a reminder that when the community shows up, amazing things can happen,” Brown said.
Through Gator Week, Wild Florida continues turning a fascination with one of Florida’s most iconic animals into an opportunity to educate families, encourage conservation and make a positive impact on the future of Osceola County students.
