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:
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. 13, 2024! 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 13 from 10 a.m. – noon
Raptor Show
This year the interactive outreach program Wings to Soar Raptor Show will take place at the historic Princess Theater and offers audiences a unique opportunity to view birds of prey up close.
- Saturday, January 13 from 9 – 10:30 a.m.
- Saturday, January 13 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Sunday, January 14 from 11 a.m. – noon
- Sunday, January 14 from 3 – 4 p.m.
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
Friday, January 12 from 3:30 – 4 p.m. at Delano Park - Kid’s Activities
Saturday & Sunday, January 13 and 14, from 11 to 11:45 a.m. at DPL
When:
The Festival of the Cranes occurs Friday January 12 through Sunday, January 14, 2024
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
The Princess Theater
112 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 event page.
