Lake County Local Celebrates 40th Birthday on Airboat Adventure

🎉 See Ya Later, Alligator Newsroom: A True Florida 40th 🐊

Now this is how you celebrate turning 40 like a true swamp-loving legend! 🎂 On March 16, 2025, a 5th generation Floridian from right here in Lake County brought the party home for his milestone birthday. Instead of hopping straight on a plane to Las Vegas, he kicked things off with a wild adventure in his own backyard—right here at Tom & Jerry’s Airboat Rides. 🚤

Family and friends gathered under the oaks, enjoyed our shaded pavilion, and took off for a full-throttle tour led by none other than Captain Barefoot Brent. And who better to capture the excitement than his own son—who proudly declared himself co-captain for the ride!

“Captain Barefoot Brent is the best. He showed us a bunch of lagoons, 4 gators seen over the whole tour, birds, chicken hawk, big hawk, saw two yellow belly sliders. They let me hold the baby alligator ‘free’ of charge. Owner is very nice. Lots of entertainment. Very clean bathrooms. The gators ‘Scoot’ and ‘Hoot’ live in the ship. Very fair price. Great place for a birthday party. Had my dad’s 40th birthday party here. Very nice pavilion. Good parking. Trip lasts an hour or more long. Captain Barefoot Brent has great jokes.”

– Justus Manitou, Official Co-Captain, March 16 Tour

This was more than a ride—it was a full-blown family reunion in the swamp, with wild Florida birds soaring above, yellow belly sliders basking in the sun, and yes… birthday joy shared with gators “Scoot” and “Hoot” in our live exhibit. 🐢🦅🐊

If you’re a local (or even if you’re not), there’s no better way to celebrate life than out here on Lake Panasoffkee, wind in your hair and gators in your sights. Whether you’re turning 10 or 40—or just tagging along for the fun—we’ve got the adventure waiting.

See y’all later, alligators—and happy birthday from all of us at Tom & Jerry’s! 🎉🐊🎈