Celebrate Cranes Annual Return to Decatur
More than 14,000 Sandhill Cranes along with several pairs of Whooping Cranes spend each winter at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur, Alabama.
A free three-day event celebrates their annual return and features storytelling, photography workshops, music, children activities, films, and of course thousands of Sandhill cranes and the endangered Whooping cranes, along with ducks, geese, bald eagles, and whatever other wildlife makes an appearance in the fields around the Visitor Center and Observation Building.
Follows are just a few of the many family-friendly activities available during the Festival of the Cranes:
Bird Walk for Kids
Ava Lyerly will lead children ages 5-18 on a bird walk at Delano Park. This free program is for those young people interested in learning about bird watching and identification. RSVP by emailing [email protected] with the number of people attending and their ages.
Saturday, January 11 from 9 – 10 a.m.
Delano Park
Batty About Bats
BATTY ABOUT BATS, presented by Vicky Beckham Smith of A-Z ANIMALS, explores myths about bats, their adaptations, their feeding strategies along with the eco-services they provide to us, the various food they eat, prey and predator relationships, and various places they live and roost. It also covers the difference between micro and mega bats. Various mounted bats, life size silhouettes as well as live bats will be used during the presentation.
Saturday, January 11 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Alabama Center for Arts Recital Hall
Kid’s Activity with Alabama Center for the Arts
Join the Alabama Center for the Arts for a nature-inspired painting party during Festival of the Cranes weekend on Sat., Jan. 11, 2025! They provide the supplies, and you provide the inspiration. Each participant will receive a canvas panel on which to paint their favorite animal, plant, or insect, and they will have paint and brushes onsite for everyone to borrow.
Saturday, January 11 from 10 a.m. – noon
Alabama Center for the Arts – Visual Arts Building – Room 113
Kid’s Activities with the Decatur Public Library
Enjoy kid’s activities with the Decatur Public Library and meet the International Crane Foundation’s mascot Hope.
- Story Time with Hope the mascot for the International Crane Foundation, and her friend Olivia will present this free storytime for all ages.
Friday, January 10 at 4 p.m. at DPL Youth Services Room - Kid’s Activities: assorted crafts, scavenger hunts, goodie bags and more
Saturday January 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at DPL
When:
The Festival of the Cranes occurs Friday January 10 through Sunday, January 12, 2025
Where:
Wheeler Wildlife Refuge
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
3121 Visitor Center Rd, Decatur, AL 35603
Alabama Center for the Arts
133 2nd Avenue Northeast
Decatur, AL, 35601
Decatur Public Library
504 Cherry St. Northeast
Decatur, Al 35601
For additional information and schedule of events:
Visit Friends of Wheeler Wildlife Refuge or their facebook page.
