DECATUR, Ala. – The Friends of Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge are hosting the annual Festival of the Cranes beginning today. Many events are scheduled in downtown Decatur throughout the weekend for this family-friendly and educational event. Events will be held at Cook Museum of Natural Science, Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts, Carnegie Visual Art Center and The Alabama Center of the Arts.
The Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Complex, located at 3121 Visitor Center Road in Decatur, is also open for a great opportunity to view the cranes. The visitor center is open Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday-Monday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Both sandhill cranes and whooping cranes have been observed at the refuge this winter as well as cormorants, white pelicans and bald eagles.
Scheduled events for this weekend’s Festival of the Cranes
Cook Museum of Natural Science
133 Fourth Ave. NE, Decatur, AL 35601
Wild About Whoopers!
Thursday Jan. 7- Saturday Jan. 9 at 9 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 7:
- Wetlands Collectable Cards- All day in the exhibits
- Lunch and Learn Lecture Series- Journey of a Whooping Crane Chick noon-1 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 8:
- Wetlands Collectable Cards- All day in the exhibits
- Crane Craft Corner from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Movie: “Journey of a Whooping Crane” at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
- Cool Cranes!! Science on the Spot at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 9:
- Wetlands Collectable Cards- All day in the exhibits
- Crane Craft Corner from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
- Movie: “Journey of the Whooping Crane” at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
All activities are included with the cost of general admission to the museum except the Thursday Lunch and Learn Lecture which is $5 for non-members. Just in time for this year’s festival, Cook Museum has added a juvenile whooping crane to its wetlands diorama. The young crane was donated by the International Crane Foundation.
Auburn University’s Southeastern Raptor Center
Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts
Saturday, Jan. 9 10:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
This is a free event. The Southeastern Raptor Center will be at the theater with hawks, eagles, falcons and owls for an up close learning opportunity.
Master Falconer Lauren McGough Presentation
Princess Theatre Center of the Performing Arts
Saturday, Jan. 9 at 9 a.m.
The first 200 people at the theater for each event will be admitted. Admission is free and masks and social distancing required.
Juried Festival of the Cranes Art Exhibition
Alabama Center of the Arts Downtown Decatur
Saturday, Jan. 9 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Free admission
Festival of the Cranes: Gareth Laffely- Live Music
Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts
Saturday, Jan. 9 at 4 p.m.
Paul Bannick Snowy Owl: A Visual Natural History Video Presentation
Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts
Saturday, Jan. 9 at 2:30 p.m.
Ben Raines Saving America’s Amazon: The Threat to Our Nation’s Most Biodiverse River System- Live Presentation
Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts
Saturday, Jan. 9 at 5:30 p.m.
Bird & Nature Art Journaling Workshop with Timothy Joe-Instructor and Artist
Carnegie Visual Art Center
Saturday Jan. 9, Session 1: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Session 2: 1-3 p.m.
The Alabama Center for the Arts 7th Annual Juried Festival of the Cranes Art Exhibition
Jan. 8-Feb. 19
www.alabamacenterforthearts.org
The Princess Theatre for the Performing Arts is located at 112 Second Ave. NE, Decatur, AL 35601. www.princesstheatre.org
The Carnegie Visual Art Center is located at 207 Church St. NE, Decatur, AL 35601. www.carnegiearts.org
Learn more at www.friendsofwheelerrefuge.com/festival-of-the-cranes-2021.
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