Ridgefield will once again celebrate its connection to the outdoors with the annual BirdFest AND Bluegrass festival on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Presented by Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and the City of Ridgefield, the event will bring together birding, nature activities, live music, local vendors and family-friendly activities throughout the city and at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.
The refuge will be free to visit for the day, with seasonal trails open to visitors. At the Carty Unit, 28908 N.W. Main Ave., attendees can participate in self-guided walks, guided hikes, nature activities and crafts from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 3.
The day begins with an opening blessing at 9 a.m. featuring Sam Robinson, vice chairman of the Chinook Indian Nation. Visitors can then choose from a variety of activities, including family-friendly hikes, nature journaling, a geology hike with local geologist Jim Maul and a photography hike on the Carty Lake Trail. A family nature-awareness hike with author Jessica Becker is also scheduled.
The Carty Unit will also feature a partner party with more than 13 organizations involved with the refuge, along with a second annual bird-themed art contest hosted in partnership with the Ridgefield Art Association. The contest is free to enter, with cash prizes available across four categories. Artwork will be displayed at the Carty Unit during the festival.
At the River “S” Unit, 1071 S. Hillhurst Road, visitors can take the River “S” Unit Auto Tour and Kiwa Trail throughout the day. Vancouver Audubon will have spotting scopes available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., giving visitors an opportunity to get a closer look at migrating and resident birds. Family birding hikes on the Kiwa Trail are scheduled for 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Downtown Ridgefield will provide the musical half of the festival, with bluegrass music and activities taking place throughout the day. More than 60 local vendors will be part of the First Saturday Vendor Market at Davis Park, offering handmade crafts, artwork, native plants, food and other goods from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bluegrass performances will take place at several downtown locations, including Overlook Park, Davis Park, Sportsman's Public House, Ridgefield Craft Brewing and The Neighborhood Refuge from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Musicians also will be able to join all-day bluegrass jams at several locations all day long.
Families can also visit Davis Park for free bird- and music-themed crafts, while children can shop and sell items at the Kids Market at Overlook Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, visit linktr.ee/BirdFestBluegrass.
