GALT, CA - In its 17th year, the Galt Winter Bird Festival is set to return, spreading its wings for an extended week of avian excitement from January 29 to February 4. The festival, hosted by the City of Galt, promises a plethora of activities and events aimed at enhancing community involvement and education.
Jackie Garcia, the City of Galt special events manager, expressed the festival's expanded format as a strategic move to deepen community engagement. She highlighted that the Chabolla Community Center, located at 610 Chabolla Ave., will play a central role, serving as the festival headquarters and a hub for preserve tours and educational presentations.
The celebration kicks off with a Backyard Bird Safari on January 29 at 10 a.m. at the Chabolla Center, where landscape architects Mike and Annette Heacox will share tips on designing the ultimate bird or wildlife garden. Families are invited to the Galt Public Library on January 30 at 10:30 a.m. for "Honk! Honk! A Story of Migration," a captivating tale of a girl's journey to the snowy north with a flock of geese.
Children of all ages can participate in a hands-on activity on January 30 at 10:30 a.m., learning how to grow bird-friendly plants by making pots and planting seeds.
For the bird enthusiasts, January 31 offers an opportunity to test their knowledge at Bird Trivia Night at the Barsetti Vineyard Tasting Room, 400 4th St. Suite 150, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person, and prizes await the top three teams.
On February 1, the Chabolla Center hosts "Welcome to My Bird Nest and Wine Night," a unique event where attendees can paint, sip wine, and create door hangers. Tickets are $45 per person, and registration is required on the City of Galt website.
As the festival progresses, participants can join Cosumnes River Preserve docents on February 2 for breakfast and a journaling trip from 9-11 a.m. at 13501 Franklin Blvd. Tickets for this event are $25 per person, with registration available at www.cityofgalt.org.
On February 3, the festival features a variety of presentations at the Chabolla Center starting at 9 a.m. with "Going Batty" by Yolo Basin Foundation program director Corky Quirk, providing a close-up look at bats and their benefits. The day continues with "Hawks, Hinders and Hoots" at 10 a.m., where Kelli Moulden showcases owls, hawks, and water birds up close. At 11 a.m., Gabriel Kerschner of Conservation Ambassadors shares stories of wild creatures overcoming injuries or illegal captivity.
The festival concludes with two keynote speakers on Saturday afternoon. Kate Rutter will discuss how journaling enhances the birding experience at noon, followed by Michelle Dodge presenting a photographic journey into the lives of Sacramento Valley birds at 1:30 p.m.
In addition to presentations, the Chabolla Center will host vendors offering arts, crafts, and food, a youth art display, an art photo exhibit, and an educational booth from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Throughout the weekend, various tours will be offered at the Cosumnes River Preserve, Staten Island, and Stone Lakes in Elk Grove.
For more information and to plan your visit, please visit tinyurl.com/GaltWBF2024.
