The campfire (with sing along music) provides opportunity to roast a marshmallow and the Hospitality tent was busy with lunch activities including the Birthday cake celebrating 45th year the refuge has existed. Also in Hospitality Tent was silent auction items donated generously by local supporters of the refuge.
Petting the horses at end of the ride or posing for pictures with Major and Mika are always popular activities.
The Friends gift shop and Face Painting activity are always busy during the festival.
Puddles was seen all around the Festival sight and was found to be very interesting by Duke and Spike, two of the horses pulling a wagon for rides. Word has it that Puddles did not take a wagon ride this year.
The Raptor Center presentation was overflowing as usual.
The last Horse drawn wagon ride of the Festival happened just after a very brief rainfall (just sprinkles really). It didn't dampen anyones spirits but did provide for beautiful rainbow over the refuge at the end of the day.
Horse drawn wagon ride was as popular as ever. Over 600 people took rides this year. Major and Mika did the work pulling on this wagon as Mel drives the team. Friends volunteer interpretors ride along and answer questions and talk of refuge history, events and activities, and the mission of the refuge staff to ensure the future of the refuge.
Geocaching was a new activity for this years festival. Kind of a high tech scavenger hunt the participants were able to borrow a GPS unit and go around within walking distance to find caches. This activity is not allowed on federal lands on normal basis so special thanks go to Anne Sittauer, refuge manager to approve this one day event only.
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