Futuristic flight: Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival set for takeoff with focus on youth
Nov. 1—Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival spokeswoman Kathy Grant said the board of directors is hoping more young people come out to this year's event, which will be held at Hutchins Street Square from Friday, Nov. 3 to Sunday, Nov. 5.
"What makes us unique is that we really encourage the full spectrum of birders to come out, from know-nothings to know-it-alls," she said. "A lot of our symposiums are aimed at 'professionals,' but we try to keep the door wide open. We want younger people to get into this, keep it going. We're getting older and aging out."
The festival begins Friday night with a reception and silent auction at Hutchins Street Square at 6 p.m., with hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer offered as refreshments.
In September, the board of directors was presented the 2023 Frank R. Beeler Watershed Stewardship Award from the Lower Mokelumne River Watershed Stewardship Steering Committee, and they will be honored again during the reception.
Admission to the reception is $15, and there is a 175-person capacity.
Tours of the surrounding wetlands also begin Friday at 3:50 p.m., and throughout the entire weekend, attendees can visit the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve, Staten Island in the Delta, the Cosumnes River Preserve and the Mokelumne River, among other areas, to catch a glimpse of the a variety of wildlife.
Tours will be held throughout the Sandhill crane season, which ends in February.
Throughout the season, the festival is partnering with the Fairfield Inn for guest accommodations. Mention the festival at the hotel's front desk to receive a discount during your stay.
"We're trying to build the area as a place for birding," Grant said. "This is a good landing spot for humans who want to get out and explore all the places our wildlife can be found. That's kind of our vision."
Presentations begin at 10 a.m. Saturday with Sandhill Cranes 101, an introduction to the bird, its history, its migration and behaviors. If you miss Saturday's symposium, it will be presented again Sunday at 11 a.m.
Native Bird Connections will have two "Secret Lives of Raptors" presentations at 10:30 a.m. and 1:40 p.m., where you'll learn about the history and behaviors of the species, and even get to see owls and hawks in the flesh. Saturday's keynote presentation will be "There and Back," with Richard Crossley discussing his 16,000-mile trek from New Jersey to Alaska to document waterfowl at 12:30 p.m.
"The Private Lives of Sandhill Cranes" will be the final presentation of the day at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, where visitors will learn more about the birds' behavior, including how to distinguish between dancing and aggression.
Denis and James Kurata return to the festival as well, performing the ancient art of Japanese taiko drumming at noon Saturday.
Sunday's presentations begin at 10:30 a.m. with Gabe Kerschner of Conservation Ambassadors' Wild Things! showcasing some of the organization's special animals.
In years past, Kerschner has brought a mountain lion, brown bear, raccoon, golden eagle and rattlesnake, among other animals, to the festival. The show will be presented at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Sunday's keynote presentation is "The Secret Lives of Nesting Sandhill Cranes" at 12:30 p.m., where Erin Gelling, executive director of the Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition, will discuss how two pairs of Sandhill cranes were observed nesting in the Nampa Valley of Colorado.
The last presentation of the festival is "Little Flying Jewels: California's Native Bees" at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, where visitors will learn about the importance of bees, what challenges they face and how to help them.
Workshops throughout the weekend include "Origami Crane Folding," "Make and Take Art," and a "Birdcarving Workshop for Beginners."
The "Make and Take Art" workshop invites guests to make worn artwork and take it home, while the master carvers from the Pacific Flyaway Decoy Association will help visitors carve their own bird during the birdcarving workshop.
The festival art show can be viewed at the Lodi Public Library, 201 W. Locust St. and the Lodi Arts Center, 110 W. Pine St., from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
There will be two divisions of original art: fine art, which will include watercolor, oils, pastels and ceramics, among other media; and photography.
Judging will be conducted entirely by festival attendees, and artists will receive "People's Choice Awards" Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.
This year's Festival Artist is Kathy Kleinsteiber, who will showcase her artwork depicting California wildlife and its habitat. The festival's Exhibit Hall will also return to the event this year, featuring vendors and agencies offering merchandise and information about the Delta habitat. Past exhibitors have included the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Restore the Delta, and the Sacramento and San Joaquin Audubon societies, among others.
This is the 25th year the Sandhill Crane Festival has been held in Lodi, and the second in-person event since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although she did not have specific figures, Grant said last year's festival was as popular as ever.
"It was really successful," she said. "We were busy the whole time, and everything was packed full. It helped us refill our coffers."
For more information about the festival, visit lodisandhill
