The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge will host its annual BirdFest & Bluegrass Festival on Oct. 1, which celebrates the fall migration of the sandhill crane.
Attendees will have the opportunity to experience wildlife firsthand, listen to local bluegrass music, and learn about Ridgefield’s local history, stated a news release.
At the event, people can partake in watching the sandhill crane dance and walk through the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. There will also be a guided geology tour, photo contest display, and office tours, the release stated.
The sandhill crane tour is not often open to the public, so the BirdFest event will offer people an opportunity to see it. Reservations to take the tour must be made in advance, the release stated.
There will be two entrances to the event on the Carty Unit and River “S” Unit, both of which feature activities for birders, photographers and hikers. Children’s activities will be present at the Carty Unit as well, stated the release. The featured bird of the year at the refuge is the killdeer. Annual commemorative buttons of the bird will be sold for $5.
More activities will take place in downtown Ridgefield on Oct. 1. On that day, First Saturday vendors will be present at Overlook Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with artisan bread and pastries, handmade crafts, snacks, ceramics and more. There will also be a make and take souvenir craft station, which will have supplies and instructions for BirdFest & Bluegrass themed crafts.
The release stated there will be free bluegrass concerts, featuring artists Phoenix Duo, Ash Creek, Whistlin’ Rufus, Hardshell Harmony, Corral Creek and Whiskey Deaf. More information about the bands can be found online at ridgefieldwa.us/event/first-saturday-october.
On the same day, the Friends of the Ridgefield Community Library will host its fall used book sale at the Ridgefield Library community room from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will also be an orienteering course from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Abrams Park.
For more information on the festival itself, visit ridgefieldfriends.org/birdfest-bluegrass.
