Purchase Your Tickets for the 2022 Discovery Gala and Family Fun Fest at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon on Saturday, August 27

What comes to mind when you think about the Agua Hedionda Lagoon? You might have driven, walked or cruised by the Lagoon a million times without recognizing its importance. But even if you didn’t know it by name, the Agua Hedionda Lagoon is an essential natural hallmark of the Carlsbad Coast. 

Due to its location, visitors and residents recognize it, but might not know its name. In reality, the Lagoon is more than just a collection of water and wetlands. It is an ecosystem spanning over 400 acres of coastal wetlands in Carlsbad. In fact, it is three lagoons in one, separating the Lagoon into three distinct sections – the railroad, Highway 101 and Interstate 5. It is home to marine life and waterfowl and provides a home to a variety of threatened and endangered species. The Lagoon contains four main habitats – the marshlands, the intertidal mudflats, the upland plant communities and the subtidal habitat. As the tides ebb and flow, over 550 unique plant and animal species flourish and thrive in the sun and burrow beneath the waterline.

If the ecosystem alone doesn’t sell its value, the uniqueness and fragility of the Lagoon should. The Agua Hedionda Lagoon is a threatened coastal wetland, and preserving its natural state is important for the plants and animals that live inside. To help with preservation efforts, the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, founded in 1990, works to inspire people through education and outreach. The Foundation educates the community and practices what they teach through habitat restoration and conservation activities. The Discovery Center is the Foundation’s hub, featuring exhibits and activities to support the mission of environmental stewardship.

In order for the Foundation to conduct their work, they need support from the community. Each year, the Foundation hosts a unique Discovery Gala to raise funds for education, restoration and protection of the Lagoon. This year, on Saturday, August 27, the Foundation is adding a fun new twist to the annual Gala, introducing a family-friendly event based on the beloved Addams Family television series. 

From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 27, the Discovery Center will be transformed into the Addams Family mansion, complete with dilapidated decor and kooky, yet captivating, twists and turns, for the Aggua Family Fun Fest. Guests are encouraged to come dressed as any one of the Addams Family characters and participate in ‘scary’ activities like magic shows, slime experiments and more. There will be light snacks for everyone and beer and wine for adults. 

The Discovery Gala, from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m, will feature live music from Atomic Groove and guests will be treated to a multi-course dinner catered by Farmhouse Catering. Notable guests will include Forbes contributors, businesses from the community and CBS/CW San Diego Morning News Anchor, Neda Iranpour as emcee. The theme for the night is ‘Aggua Family’ so dress as your favorite Addams Family character or black tie optional.

Tickets for the Family Fun Fest are $99 for a family of four, and Gala tickets are $222 each ($200 for members). During the event, there will be a live auction and a silent auction. Proceeds from tickets and the auctions will go directly back to the Foundation to provide funds for expanding the Environmental Education Department. 

The Agua Hedionda Discovery Center is located at 1580 Cannon Road in Carlsbad. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit https://www.aguahedionda.org/discovery-gala-2022.