'Summer Wildlife Days' 2009 Event Calendar

Sponsored by the 'Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park'

2009 Event Calendar PDF

The event calendar above is provided in PDF format. To view PDF documents, you will need the free Adobe Reader. If you need assistance, view our PDF Help page , email us or call us at (207) 287-8000.

All programs run from approximately 11:00am to 2:00pm unless otherwise noted.

Date	Event
Saturday May 2, 2009	Bridges Foundation 'Walk on the Wild Side': 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Walkathon Fundraiser for an activity center for persons with developmental disabilities and autism in the Gray/Windham area. FMI and to pre-register go to www.thebridgesfoundation.org or call (207) 894-5288 (Rain date - Sunday)
Saturday May 9, 2009	Learn about Lobsters: with Captain Tom & Crew from the Portland lobster boat Lucky Catch. See how that tasty treat gets from the bottom of the ocean to your dinner plate. Hear about lobster habits & conservation efforts while learning about hard shells, shedders, shorts, culls, & keepers; live lobsters & real equipment!
Saturday May 16, 2009	Sparks Ark: Have you ever had a raccoon stuck in your chimney, a skunk under your porch, woodchucks in the garden, or bats in your attic? Dave Sparks is a licensed animal damage control agent and the professional to call when you experience a conflict with the area wildlife. He can also give you tips, tricks and ways to discourage wildlife that may be causing trouble in your gardens, home and buildings.
Saturday - Monday May 23 - 25, 2009	Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park Annual Plant Sale: The Friends volunteer group helps out the wildlife park in so many ways; learn more about their ongoing projects and enjoy great spring plant deals with flowers, vegetables and baskets grown in their own greenhouse! Plants will be available all day each day.
Saturday May 30, 2009	Maine Forest Service: Join a local District Forest Ranger with a demonstration and display of the tools of his trade. Forest Rangers protect our forests from fires, insects, disease and misuse. A special photo opportunity for the kids will happen from 12 noon to 12:30 p.m., when Smokey the Bear will arrive to meet his fans. Brings your cameras for photos of Smokey with your children!
Saturday June 6, 2009	All About Bats Night Visit: 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Join the Chewonki Foundation and the Batmobile to learn about 'natures's own bug zappers'! Meet their live, unreleasable Big Brown Bat. Bats eat nearly their weight in mosquitoes and crop pests before flying back to their roosts each night. But more than half of the 44 U.S. species are endangered or in serious decline. Regular admission fees. (call office 657-4977 if raining). The Nature Store and Snack Shack will be open for snacks and souvenirs!
Saturday June 13, 2009	Fly Tying & Fly Casting with Trout Unlimited: Sebago Trout Unlimited (TU) Chapter members will be on hand to teach these popular fishing techniques. Learn to cast; then tie a fly and bring it home to try on your next fishing trip!
Saturday June 27, 2009	Fish and Wildlife Day: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Come talk with the people that preserve, protect and manage Maine's wildlife for you! Join Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife fisheries and wildlife biologists, game wardens, safety, and hatchery staff with a variety of special fish and wildlife exhibits and displays.
Saturday June 27, 2009	Trails End Taxidermy: Taxidermy is a method of reproducing a life-like, 3-dimensional rendition of an animal, bird or fish for permanent display. Come and see a variety of examples of this delicate art with local taxidermist Dana Soucier. Dana will bring along examples of wildlife mounts from the start of the process to finished product.
Saturday July 4, 2009	Meet a Live Bald Eagle: 11 a.m. 12 noon, and 1:30 p.m. Join Maine Wildlife Park staffers Pam and Nikki Richardson with immature bald eagle ‘Lawrence’ to learn about eagles in Maine. Although this eagle does not have the white head and tail of a 4 yr. old adult bird, he is impressive to see and photograph up close!
Saturday July 11, 2009	Wear Your 'PJ's' Night Visit: 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. What do you do to get ready for bed? Wear your pajamas for a night visit at the park and take a short learning tour about how our animals prepare for and survive during the dark hours. Regular admission fees. (Call office 657-4977 if raining). The Nature Store and Snack Shack will be open for snacks and souvenirs
Saturday July 18, 2009	Maine Woodsman Days: Join Maine Custom Wood Sculpture Bill Fournier as he uses a chainsaw to create eagles, bears and more. Watch a block of wood become a work of art. Finished pieces will be for sale. The Streaked Mountain Wood Carvers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching, preserving and promoting the art of woodcarving, will also be on hand to display a variety of wildlife carving methods, and there will be hand-on Soap Carving for the kids! Nate Gould, Assistance Superintendent at the Park, will demonstrate using a chainsaw to carve a wooden chain with moveable links and accessories of our a solid beam, or 'cant'. Bring your cameras & earplugs for these great demonstrations of different wood carving methods!
Saturday July 25, 2009	Maine's Native Turtles: 11:00 a.m., 12 noon, and 1:00 p.m. Join wildlife park staff to see and learn more about Maine's 7 species of native turtles. Individual turtles will be on hand to view and photograph up close.
Saturday August 1, 2009	Chainsaw Art with Ron Carlson: A lifelong hobby became a business; now thousands of pieces later, Ron specializes in carving bears. He’s carved almost every animal, along with requests to create airplanes, to the 7 dwarfs, to giant gorillas on safari. He’s shipped his work to a dozen countries worldwide; and will have a variety of carvings on exhibit and for sale.
Saturday - Sunday August 8-9, 2009	Native American POW WOW - Honor the Animals!: Representatives of several tribes will be at the park for two full days with dancers, drummers, craft vendors, singers and traditional food booths. Special events will be presented throughout each day. This is an exciting opportunity to learn more about Maine’s Native Americans. (All day, rain or shine).
Saturday August 15, 2009	Maine Bow Association Youth Archery: Join Jerome Richards, certified Firearm, Bow, and Crossbow Hunter Safety Instructor, and his wife Jean, for some hands-on fun with archery! The Richards will set up archery targets, and have a variety of bows for you to try out. A great way for you and your kids to try your hands at a new and increasingly popular sport.
Saturday August 22, 2009	Life of the Honey Bee: Learn about the industrious life of the honey bee, and the role of the beekeeper. Parts of the bee hive and beekeeping equipment will be on display, and experienced beekeepers will be available to answer your questions. A variety of delicious native Maine honey and other products from the hive will be available to purchase.
Saturday August 29, 2009	Maine Custom Wood Sculpture: Join Bill Fournier as he uses a chain saw to create eagles, bears and more. Watch a block of wood become a work of art. Finished pieces will be for sale. Bring your cameras & earplugs!
Saturday September 5, 2009	Landscaping for Wildlife with Skilln's Greenhouses: Expert native landscaping staff will be on hand with a wide selection of native shrubs, small trees and other plants that are hardy and attractive, while providing food and shelter for our birds and wildlife. Plants are on sale-ready to install into your yard or landscape.
Sunday September 6, 2009	National Grandparents Day: Free admission for Grandparents accompanied by their grandchildren; regular entrance fees for all other family members.
Saturday September 19, 2009	Rick Charette Concert: As a singer and songwriter, Rick Charette has been capturing the hearts and spirits of young and old alike with his delightful and inspiring children’s songs. His performances blend original contemporary pop music and lyrics with imaginative activities that generate all kinds of audience participation. Many songs he will perform here will relate to animals! Concert 11am-12noon rain or shine Rick will sign autographs and sell CDs after the show.
Friday October 23, 2009	Halloween Night Hike: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Get into the spooky spirit! Special Halloween Displays! Haunted Tree Trail! Wear your costumes! Door Prizes! Regular admission fees. (Rain date:* Saturday, October 25, same time) The Nature Store and Snack Shack will be open for snacks & souvenirs!*
November 11, 2009	Veterans Day/Closing Day for the Park: Free admission for U.S. Military personnel and Veterans only on our last day of the season.
Our picnic shelters and Outdoor Classroom may be reserved for parties, special occasions, family gatherings and more! School programs and tours available in May, June, September and October. Consider volunteering at the wildlife park. There are opportunities for gatehouse attendants, tour guides, gardeners and store clerks in the snack shack and nature store. For more information, please call (207) 657-4977, ext. 0.
Maine Festivals and Events

PARK INFORMATION

'Summer Wildlife Days' 2009 Event Calendar

All programs run from approximately 11:00am to 2:00pm unless otherwise noted.

Our picnic shelters and Outdoor Classroom may be reserved for parties, special occasions, family gatherings and more!

School programs and tours available in May, June, September and October.

Consider volunteering at the wildlife park. There are opportunities for gatehouse attendants, tour guides, gardeners and store clerks in the snack shack and nature store.

For more information, please call (207) 657-4977, ext. 0.

Maine Festivals and Events

Our picnic shelters and Outdoor Classroom may be reserved for parties, special occasions,
family gatherings and more!

Consider volunteering at the wildlife park. There are opportunities for gatehouse attendants,
tour guides, gardeners and store clerks in the snack shack and nature store.