The Ohio Bird Sanctuary (OBS) had a flock of visitors on Saturday for their annual Family Fall Festival and to “Take a Walk on the Wild Side!” The event was a success, not only in raising some needed funds, but in introducing a new event and generally providing educational fun for visitors.
This year, instead of holding a 5K, organizers decided to offer “Take a Walk on the Wild Side!” Laux explained that visitors often comment on how wonderful the eight trails are at the 90-acre facility, so they decided to utilize the trails to offer a challenge event.
Challenges were set up along a trail and groups could either take the physical challenge or a knowledge challenge. The challenges, including crossing tree laying over a creek bed, were family-friendly.
“The day was a great success,” said Laux, “We had 14 teams with a total of 58 participants. We plan to build on it each year with a goal of it becoming the signature event for OBS. I think is a good fit for our organization, combining fun, family, friends, adventure and a little learning.”
The Columbus Zoo visited during the festival with several animals that attracted considerable attention. Laux shared the following response from some visitors. “This is a quote from the Foster family that participated. I think it sums it up,” she said.
Wow!!!! What a FANTASTIC time we had at the event today! It isn’t every day that you pet a penguin and walk around with a flamingo! We LOVED the trail run! It was awesome family bonding time for us!! Your activities at the stations were perfect. Everyone in our family learned and experienced new things. Jacquelyn was quite the “risk taker” going out on that log and digging in the worms. She was SO proud of herself. She can’t stop talking about bringing all her friends along next time. I bet this will be an event that grows when the word gets out what a great time people had! It was like a “low ropes course” for young families–a “team” or “family” building experience. Even before the trail run when Scott saw everything going on he commented, “This is just such an outstanding organization.”
The Cain family of Bucyrus enjoyed the challenge course. “We want to be the first to get our card completed,” said Cris Cain as they prepared for the last challenge, which they successfully completed. Doug Cain said the hardest challenge was the wrist rocket. He had to hit a stuffed bird with a wrist sling shot and he was only permitted three tries. The experienced marksman said he got it on the third attempt.
This year the Columbus Zoo introduced visitors to Chovie, a three year old African Black-Footed Penguin and Leo, a Leopard Tortoise from Africa. Columbus Zoo employee Calvin McCammon patiently allowed children to touch Leo while Tiffany Dollins brought out the more “impatient” animal visitors.
After allowing festival-goers to meet Chovie, she introduced a Lesser Flamingo and Fletcher, a Fennec Fox. The final introduction from the Columbus Zoo was Nitro the Snow Leopard. Visitors were not allowed to touch the six-month-old leopard but they did learn about the secretive, elusive life of the cat from the Himalayas.
In addition to the trail challenge and the visit from the Columbus Zoo, visitors to the Ohio Bird Sanctuary also saw some of the larger birds up close when staff members brought them out of their enclosures. There was Smokin’ Bros BBQ to enjoy as well and trail challenge participants received a free meal. And Education Coordinator Jan Ferrell read stories to appreciative groups by the fireside and a number of crafts for children were also available.
Proceeds from the annual event are used for the care and rehabilitation of rescued birds, and this year money will also help put the new flight enclosure under roof. The flight enclosure will facilitate the rehabilitation of large birds like eagles, owls, and falcons. The fall festival grossed $4,733 with a profit of $3,733. The goal was $4,000 to cover the remaining cost of roof for eagle enclosure.
Laux expressed gratitude to a number of supporters including sponsors Richland Bank, Mechanics Bank, Spherion, RFME, C Richard Thompson, Attorney, and Corpad. She also said she was grateful to the Columbus Zoo for donating their time, staff and wonderful animals; to volunteers, Junior Naturalist and their parents who ran the parking, children’s activities and Walk on the Wild Side Challenge sites, and to Board members and volunteers who manned registration and challenge sites.
“The day was a great success,” said Gail Laux, “We had 14 teams with a total of 58 participants. We plan to build on it each year with a goal of it becoming the signature event for OBS. I think is a good fit for our organization, combining fun, family, friends, adventure and a little learning.”
