More than 14,000 Sandhill Cranes along with several pairs of Whooping Cranes spend the winter each year at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, and to celebrate the winter migration of these long-legged and long-necked birds, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge hosts the Festival of the Cranes. Over the years, this annual festival has grown to include events at the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, the Cook Museum of Natural Science, the Princess Theatre, Delano Park, Carnegie Visual Arts Center, and other locations around Decatur. The Festival of the Cranes is such a cool event!
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
3121 Visitor Center Road Decatur, AL
friendsofwheelernwr.org
Saturday, January 14
8am-9am - Bird Walk Join former Refuge Manager Dwight Cooley on a morning bird walk. Watch the cranes and other waterfowl begin their day.
9am-10am - Birding 101 Learn the basics of birding on a bird walk around the visitor center grounds with Christopher Joe.
9am-5pm - Visit the Observation Building View thousands of Sandhill cranes, Whooping cranes, waterfowl, geese, raptors, and perhaps a bald eagle from the comfort of a heated building. [Building capacity limited]
Sunday, January 15
9am-5pm - Visit the Observation Building View thousands of Sandhill cranes, Whooping cranes, waterfowl, geese, raptors, and perhaps a bald eagle from the comfort of a heated building. [Building capacity limited]
9am-5pm - Periodic Art demo Alabama artist Timothy M. Joe will be painting various nature scenes around the visitor center.
(photo by Steve Minor)
Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts
112 2nd Ave NE
Friday, January 13
7:00 PM Three On A String. Enjoy an evening of musical entertainment mixed with humor performed flawlessly by a group that has been together for 50 years! Tickets available at https://www.princesstheatre.org.
Saturday, January 14
9am - Joe Duff: Operation Migration. Canadian Naturalist who helped pioneer micro-ultralight led migration efforts with Canada geese and Whooping cranes.
11am - Wings To Soar: Enjoy seeing a selection of live raptors and hearing about the role they play in nature.
1pm - Condors - Photographer Andrew Orr: enjoy photographs of the amazing California Condor and hear more about their comeback from the edge of extinction.
2:30pm - Wings to Soar: Enjoy seeing a selection of live raptors and hearing about the role they play in nature.
6pm - Steve Trash: Totally Rockin' Environmental Science Show: This program makes science fun for children as Mr. Trash explores a wide range of themes, from ecosystems to solar energy. Tickets available at https:/ /www.princesstheatre.org.
Sunday, January 15
11am -12pm - Joe Duff: Operation Migration. Canadian Naturalist who helped pioneer micro-ultralight led migration efforts with Canada geese and Whooping cranes.
12:30pm-1:30pm - Wings to Soar: Enjoy seeing a selection of live raptors and hearing about the role they play in nature.
2pm-3pm - Arctic to Antarctica - Photographer Andrew Orr: Join Mr. Orr on a journey of photographs and information that will take you from the Arctic to Antarctica.
3:30pm-4:30pm - Wings to Soar: Enjoy seeing a selection of live raptors and hearing about the role they play in nature.
(photos courtesy of Princess Theatre)
Cook Museum of Natural Science
133 4th Ave NE
The Cook Museum is wild about whoopers! Find out why whooping cranes are so amazing in the Cool Cranes! Science on the Spot presentations. There will also be a selfie station, coloring, and a craft activity. At the Crane Dance Party, you can learn how to dance like a crane.
Friday, January 13
10:30am-11:30am - Meet & Greet Hope Mascot
Saturday, January 14
10am-2pm - Wild About Whoopers!
10am, 11am, Noon, 1pm Cool Cranes! Science on the spot
10am-2pm - Whooping Crane Selfie Station
10am-2pm - Craft: Coloring Activity
All Day Crane Dance Party!
All Day The Whoopers of Wheeler Video
(photo courtesy of Cook Museum)
The Old State Bank
925 Bank St NE
Friday, January 13
9:30am-11:30am - Open for tours and Student Art Show
Saturday, January 14
9:30am-11:30am - Student Art Show
Carnegie Visual Arts Center
207 Church St NE
Special opening hours during the FOC 2023:
Friday, January 13th - 10am-5pm
Saturday, January 14th - 10am-3pm
Sunday, January 15th - 12pm-3pm
Saturday, January 14
9-11am - Watercolor Workshop with Sophie Mc Vicar
Birmingham artist, Sophie McVicar, will be sharing her passion for watercolor and teaching students how to capture the beauty of animals and nature.
Intermediate painting experience is recommended. Participants will need to bring watercolors, an easel, and general painting supplies. Cost: TBD. Space is limited to 15 students. The workshop will be held at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center, 207 Church Street, NE.
Register at carnegiearts.org/events
1pm-3pm - Watercolor/Gouache Workshop with Timothy Joe
Huntsville artist, Timothy Joe, will be instructing participants in his technique of watercolor and gouache to capture images in nature. Intermediate painting experience is recommended. Participants will need to bring watercolors, an easel, and general painting supplies. Cost: $35. Space is limited to 15 students.
The workshop will be held at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center, 207 Church Street, NE.
Register at carnegiearts.org/events
Sunday, January 15
12pm-3pm - Gallery Art Show by wildlife artist, Sophie McVicar
(photo courtesy of Carnegie Visual Arts Center)
Alabama Center for the Arts
133 2nd Ave NE
Saturday, January 14
Visual Arts Building (sits closest to 2nd Avenue)
9am-5pm - Festival of the Cranes Art Exhibit in Walking Gallery
*Main Gallery also open - featuring artist John "Jahni" Moore, Red Earth Invocation
9am-11am - Paintbrush Animals "make & take art activity" Room #113 Come and create your very own woodland critter using art supplies and paint brushes. All supplies are provided. This is a come-and-go event.
11am-12pm - 3M Room, #118- Connecting with Birds and Nature. Christopher Joe talks about his interest in birding and guided bird tours, his father's influence in agriculture, and his video creation process.
1pm-2pm - 3M Room, #118- Tammie Clark Junior Duck Stamp Workshop. 11/2 hour "one-stop shop" guide to drawing tips, composition ideas, and contest entry guidelines for the Jr. Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Contest. Supplies provided.
Performing Arts Building - Recital Hall
11am-1pm - Wild Alabama is partnering with Alabama Rivers Alliance to show the 2022 Southern Exposure films around north Alabama. Please join us for the screening followed by a Q&A session!
3pm-4pm - International Crane Foundation George Archibald & Richard
Beilfuss: Learn about the history of this organization and the role they are playing in protecting the cranes and saving the endangered Whooping Cranes from extinction.
Sunday, January 15
Visual Arts Building (sits closest to 2nd Avenue)
9am-5pm - Festival of the Cranes Art Exhibit in Walking Gallery
*Main Gallery also open - featuring artist John "Jahni" Moore, Red Earth Invocation
Performing Arts Building - Recital Hall
11am-12pm - Jimmy Stiles Herpetologist & Nature Lover Mr. Stiles will share information about the reptiles and amphibians of Alabama. This hands-on experience is alwavs a hit!
1pm-2pm - International Crane Foundation George Archibald & Richard
Beilfuss: Learn about the history of this organization and the role they are playing in protecting the cranes and saving the endangered Whooping Cranes from extinction.
3pm-4pm - Jimmy Stiles Herpetologist & Nature Lover Mr. Stiles will share information about the reptiles and amphibians of Alabama.
(photo courtesy of Alabama Center for the Arts)
Decatur Public Library
504 Cherry St NE
StoryWalk® at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge - Atkeson Cypress Trail
Monday, December 19, 2022, through Monday, January 30, 2023
Book: Crane & Crane by Linda Joy Singleton, Illustrated by Richard Smythe StoryWalk® at Delano Park
Monday, December 19, 2022, through Monday, January 30, 2023
Book: The Blue Songbird by Vern Kousky
Friday, January 13
2:00pm - Decatur Public Library's Story Time at Delano Park. Ms. Mary from DPL and Jessie from the International Crane Foundation will sing songs and read books with the kids. Hope, the IFC mascot, will also be here!
Saturday, January 14
10am-4pm - Kids' Crane Activities in the Library
Assorted crafts/activities, photo opportunities, scavenger hunt, goodie bags
12:30pm-1:30pm - Free Meet & Greet Photo Opportunity with Hope, the mascot for the International Crane Foundation
Sunday, January 15
10am-4pm - Kids' Crane Activities in the Library: Assorted crafts/ activities, photo opportunities, scavenger hunt, goodie bags
2:30 pm - Story Time with Zellie the Zoologist from Magical Memories, AL
(photos courtesy of Decatur Public Library)
Information from Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge: www.friendsofwheelernwr.org/festival-of-the-cranes-2023
