Snow Goose festival for birders of all ages

Ann Cory’s “Home for Christmas” is featured on this year’s poster for the Port Susan Snow Goose & Birding Festival. The 5th annual Port Susan Snow Goose & Birding Festival is set for February 20 and 21 and organizers are working diligently to create a community-wide birding event designed for “birders” of all ages.

This year’s festival will feature some of the most popular activities and events from previous festivals, including speaker, Kestrel Skyhawk, from Sarvey Wildlife Rescue and Craig and Joy Johnson, who will be sharing another “wow-filled” bird photography show. This time it’s all about woodpeckers.

A professional watercolor artist, Molly Hashimoto will be teaching a class on painting wildlife.

Two main venues host the festival activities: Four Springs Lake Preserve, 585 Lewis Lane, Camano Island and the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, 27130 122nd Ave. in Stanwood.

The Norgaard Center will be “Bird Central” throughout the weekend, with guest speakers, photographers, artists and a variety of “birding” vendor booths. It’s also the gathering place for bus tours and field trips.

A fine art show, “Everything Birds” will be at the Four Springs location. The community is encouraged to enjoy both venues during these two fun-filled days.

For a complete schedule of fun things to do, see the Web site at www.snowgoosefest. org.

Organizers say that some of the activities that require registration fill up fast, so reserve your spot now.

Sponsors are the Stanwood Camano Arts Guild, Klesick Family Farm, Pelletier & Schaar Architecture, Camano Island Chamber of Commerce, Pilchuck Audubon Society and the Stanwood Chamber of Commerce.