Wings 'n Water Festival Brings Home Wetlands Preservation

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT > EDITOR'S CHOICES

By Mike Pritchard

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Sep. 15, 2010

In a year when the massive BP oil spill threatened wetlands throughout the Gulf region of the U.S., The Wetlands Institute of Stone Harbor's annual Wings 'n Water Festival, held this weekend from Friday, Sept. 17, to Sunday, Sept. 19, takes on a special meaning.

The event has always been a celebration of the area's wetlands, marshes and back bays. For 40 years the institute has been touting the message “that our very lives depend on sustaining healthy wetlands and coastal ecosystems.” And as far as the festival goes, well there's no reason not to have a lot of fun doing it.

The festival offers up a host of activities, tours, programs, food, music and, of course, the signature artwork that has made the event's annual poster a collectors item. This year's poster features a red knot shorebird painted by artist Ron Orlando of Hawley, Pa. Vintage posters from previous years will also be available at the Tidepool Museum Shop. You can also meet nationally acclaimed artists, carvers, model builders, quilters, crafters and photographers.

The festival starts with an opening reception Friday from 6-10pm that includes a benefit auction.

Arts shows, exhibits and demonstration will be held Saturday (10am-5pm) and Sunday (10am-4pm).

But along with food and folk music and hands-on nature demonstrations comes several guided toursand events encompassing everything from bird watching and nature walks to wine tastings and champagne breakfasts.

The schedule is so packed, you can send the kids off to watch a juggler while dad takes in a fly-casting clinic and mom browses the festival art shows.

The festival has also expanded to include new venues. Art exhibits will be held at the Avalon Community Hall on 30th St., for example, and nature events will be held in several locations.

General admission tickets are $12, $5 for children. Some events, such as a back-bay cruise and kayaking carry an additional charge.

For information and a full schedule go to wetlandsinstitute.org.