Nature, art & community shine at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary’s fall festival

LEXINGTON — Close your eyes and picture a movie scene where an eagle soars across the sky. The majestic screech you hear probably seems like it’s coming from the eagle — but 7-year-old Luke Kennan knows better.

“It’s a red-tailed hawk!” he said excitedly at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary’s (OBS) annual fall festival on Saturday.

Learning soars at Ohio Bird Sanctuary’s fall festival

Families packed the sanctuary, located at 3774 Orweiler Road, for a day full of outdoor autumn fun, crafts and close-up encounters with the birds.

One attraction was the “species spotlight,” featuring two hawks with many learning opportunities and photos with the birds.

Luke and his mom, Jennifer Kennan, have visited the OBS three times, but this marked their first time attending the festival.

Luke said his favorite bird is the vulture but he loves seeing all the different species and learning about them.

“It’s very peaceful here and relaxing,” Jennifer said. “I just love that he’s so into it.”

Program Coordinator Abby Yates introduced Maverick, a 3-year-old red-tailed hawk who came to the sanctuary as a baby with a broken wing and a lung infection.

“While Maverick is now completely healed, his stamina isn’t the best,” Yates explained. “If he were out in the wild, he would end up being what we call a starvation case.”

The hawk noise being used for eagle scenes in movies was just one of many facts that Yates shared with visitors.

OBS also presented a red-shouldered hawk during the session. Visitors asked questions, snapped photos with Maverick and learned about each bird’s personality and story.

‘We’re seeing what we have missed all these years’

Yates said the festival is a great way for visitors to come and experience things they would not get to on an average day at OBS.

“There are things for people of all ages here,” Yates said.

She added they have crafts and games that appeal to younger kids, but the up-close experiences are things that people of all ages can enjoy.

Having activities that can entertain adults from 20- to 90-years olds is something she enjoys most about the festival.

Tina Birchell and Jessica Sturgill, from Marion were visiting OBS for the first time after seeing the fall festival event on Facebook.

“We stopped at one exhibit and we are seeing what we missed all these years,” Birchell said.

Sturgill works as an academic advisor at Ohio State Marion, working with students interested in biology and zoology.

“I just learned about internship opportunities I can tell my students about,” Sturgill said. “Along with learning ways to increase the knowledge of this place.”

After living in the area for over 30 years and just now discovering OBS, Sturgill said she highly recommends everyone come out and see OBS for themselves.

Festival blends nature, art and family traditions

Executive Director Julie Schwartz said the festival has become a beloved community tradition that encourages families to enjoy nature and see what’s new at the sanctuary.

“This year, we’ve just reopened the songbird aviary after a few weeks of upgrades,” Schwartz said. “Even visitors who come here 100 times a year will notice the difference.”

Local artist Allison Pence also added her touch to the sanctuary, painting colorful landscape scenes on flat surfaces throughout the grounds.

Visitors were able to bid on raffle prizes ranging from sanctuary memberships and YMCA passes to tickets for the Ohio State Reformatory and OBS merchandise.

She added all the money goes toward caring for the birds they have in the hospital.

Food trucks kept visitors fueled for the day, while a bonfire near the picnic area offered the classic fall experience of roasting s’mores. Visitors could purchase a s’more kit for $1 with proceeds supporting the Junior Naturalist Program.

“This fall festival is a great way for families to spend time outdoors,” Schwartz said. “That really is the greatest thing we can do and offer to the community.”

(More photos from the OBS fall festival. Credit: Hannah Martin)