Home → Maine Wildlife Park → Events
Maine Wildlife Park Events
Sponsored by the 'Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park'
All programs will run from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
MAP YOUR ADVENTURE DAY
Date: May 5, 2018
Time: 11:00 AM
In a world where GPS technology is so commonplace, reading & understanding maps is still a critical skill; from helping navigate the Maine Wildlife Park to saving a life in the woods! Use the park’s brand new map to learn map basics, join scavenger hunts & games for prizes; even find hidden “treasure” in the park! MDIFW Recreational Safety Instructors will teach you how to use a map & compass in the big woods along with other survival skills. Don’t miss this fun event for the whole family!
ARCHERY & LASER WITH BRYANT POND 4-H SHOOTING SPORTS
Date: May 12, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM
Certified archery (10am- noon) & laser rifle (12:30pm -2:30) instructors will have equipment & targets to try your hand at these great family sports building self-confidence, self discipline, responsibility & leadership while promoting youth development & life skills. umaine.edu/bryantpond/
ENDANGERED & THREATENED SPECIES DAY
Date: May 19, 2018
Time: 11:00 AM
Join the Maine Endangered Species Coalition to learn about National Endangered Species Day. Understand the importance of protecting endangered species; & everyday actions you can take to help protect them. www.endangered.org/category/maine
MAINE NORDMENN DAY
Date: May 19, 2018
Time: 11:00 AM
Scandinavian climate, wildlife & conservation practices are similar to Maine’s. View a 15' Viking ship replica. Learn about Scandinavian culture from folks in full native dress; see demonstrations of traditional activities like wood carving, rosemaling, weaving & Viking life. Sample delicious Scandinavian foods, enjoy Scandinavian music. Age appropriate activities for children; Scandinavian baked goods & crafts for sale. www.mainenordmenn.com
FRIENDS OF THE MAINE WILDLIFE PARK
Date: May 26, 2018 - May 28, 2018
Time: 8:00 AM
The Friends volunteer group helps out the wildlife park in so many ways; learn more about their ongoing projects & enjoy great bargains on spring plants with annual & perennial flowers, vegetables & floral baskets grown in their own greenhouse! Plants will be available Sat. & Sun. 8-3 in the parking lot, thereafter inside the park. www.wildlifeparkfriends.org
RED CROSS/RAYSUP BLOOD DRIVE
Date: May 26, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM
The American Red Cross plays a critical role in our nation’s health care system, processing about 40 percent of the blood supply! Reveal your inner hero & donate life-saving blood at our annual park blood drive. Donors who pre-register for this event receive free admission to the park & a discount for family members on this day. You can preregister at: www.redcrossblood.org
LUCKY CATCH LOBSTER
Date: June 3, 2018
Time: 11:00 AM
SUNDAY, June 3 The Lucky Catch provides an unforgettable boat ride on the Portland waters of Casco Bay while you’re guided through the daily routines of a Maine Lobsterman. Lucky Catch Staff at the park today will have a variety of sea life from these ocean trips for you to explore, including lobsters!
OPEN HOUSE 5PM-8PM ADMISSION FREE!
Date: June 8, 2018
Time: 5:00 PM
Friday June 8 - FREE ADMISSION TONIGHT ONLY! 5PM-8PM Meet the Gems of Route 26, Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park, local civic organizations, Narrow Gauge Railroad, & Dry Mills Schoolhouse while enjoying an evening stroll around the park!
MAINE WARDEN SERVICE DAY
Date: June 9, 2018
Time: 11:00 AM
Meet members of the Maine Warden Service, view boats, ATVs, Diver Trailer, & Wall of Shame. Learn how game wardens protect our wildlife & our citizens in the woods & waters of Maine.
THE ANCIENT ONES
Date: June 16, 2018
Time: 11:00 AM
This group of re-enactors, in full period dress, will set up a real Living History Camp from the late 1700s-1800s. They will put up a canvas tent & have demonstrations going on all day long, including fire starting, cooking, trading, tomahawk throwing, flint knapping, flintlock muskets, weaving & more. Come to see what day-to-day life really looked like 200 years ago! All day Saturday; Sunday morning ‘til 12noon.
SPARKS ARK
Date: June 23, 2018
Time: 11:00 AM
Sparks Ark was officially started in the early 90s by David Sparks. He & son Josh had done wildlife rehabilitation for some time, but decided to also start humanely relocating nuisance wildlife. Over the years, they began taking in unwanted and illegal exotic animals as well. In addition to rehabilitation work, they do outreach programs with many of the exotics, educating people on the legality, pros & cons of owning an exotic; as well as how to safely interact with wildlife.
WILDLIFE ENRICHMENT DAY
Date: June 30, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM
‘Enrichments’ are items that provide mental & physical stimulation & exercise to captive wildlife to encourage natural behaviors, activity & play. Starting at 10am, then every hour on the hour to 3pm, watch a different species receive a new enrichment & enjoy the fun they’ll have with it!
MAINE NATURE ARTISTS
Date: July 7, 2018
Time: 11:00 AM
Join several area artists as they demonstrate their nature-based art using unique materials & various mediums to capture the beauty of wildlife & nature. A variety of their items will be available for purchase!
MAINE WILDLIFE AUTHORS
Date: July 14, 2018
Time: 11:00 AM
Children’s book authors Tamra Wight (“Cooper & Packrat”), Melissa Kim (“Wildlife on the Move”) & Lyn Smith (‘A Porcupine’s Promenade’) will give presentations about wildlife & read from their books. Make your own wildlife book or journal, go on a wildlife scavenger hunt, & take part in a variety of family-friendly activities & workshops centering on wildlife writing, drawing, & photography.
CHAINSAW WILDLIFE ARTISTS
Date: July 21, 2018
Time: 11:00 AM
Join 4 local Maine chainsaw carvers Ron Carlson, Tim Pickett, Dan Burns & Greg Waters as they use chainsaws to create eagles, bears & more. Watch a block of wood become a work of art. A variety of carvings will be on exhibit & for sale. Bring your cameras & your earplugs!
ENCHANTED FORESTS
Date: August 4, 2018
Time: 11:00 AM
Sat/Sun August 4 & 5: 11am-2pm Fairy houses & gardens are incredibly popular with children today. Bring the kids to visit our fabulous human-sized fairy house, meet & have your photos taken with some ‘real’ fairies; then work with all natural materials to create your own miniature fairy habitats to take home with you. This is a great activity for all kids, young & old!
ATTEAN FAMILY POW WOW
Date: August 11, 2018 - August 12, 2018
Time: 9:30 AM
Tribal representatives from Maine, New England & around the country will be at the park for two full days with native dancers, drummers, craft vendors, singers & traditional food booths. This year, don’t miss NEW activities, food, music & Grand Entry presented each day. An exciting opportunity to learn more about Native American culture & heritage. (All day, rain or shine).
EVENING STAR PARTY
Date: August 18, 2018
Time: 7:00 PM
See the wonders of the night sky first hand with Northern Stars Planetarium & Southern Maine Astronomers! Rotate through different stations & activities to find out about the stars & planets in the skies above & their impact on wildlife. There will be telescopes to use, as well as larger scopes that party leaders will keep on whatever mysterious objects are overhead. We must have clear skies to run this program! 7:00pm – 9:00pm (Call office FMI if weather is suspect)
LIFE OF THE HONEYBEE
Date: August 25, 2018
Time: 11:00 AM
Learn about the industrious life of the honey bee, & the role of the beekeeper. Parts of the bee hive & beekeeping equipment will be on display; & experienced bee keepers will be available to answer your questions. A variety of delicious native Maine honey & other natural products from the hive will be on sale. www.mainebeekeepers.org
WATCH OUR WILDLIFE HAVE DINNER!
Date: September 1, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM
Visitors to the park always want to know what our wildlife eats & when! Today, we will post hourly feeding times starting at 10AM for the moose, lynx, foxes, cougars, turkey vultures, & bears - so you can watch them munch on their lunch!
RICK CHARETTE CONCERT!
Date: September 8, 2018
Time: 11:00 AM
Showtime 11am-noon Rick has been capturing the hearts & spirits of young & old alike with his delightful & inspiring children’s songs for years! Many songs performed will be about Maine’s wild animals & from his newest album! Rick will sign autographs & sell CDs after the show. Concert Show Time is 11am-12noon; rain or shine
NATIONAL GRANDPARENT’S DAY
Date: September 9, 2018
Time: 9:30 AM
National Grandparents Day is the first Sunday after Labor Day, & was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter. Free admission for Grandparents accompanied by their grandchildren; regular entrance fees for all other family members.
WILD WINGS TAXIDERMY
Date: September 22, 2018
Time: 11:00 AM
It’s National Hunting & Fishing Day! Taxidermy is a method of reproducing a life-like, 3-dimensional rendition of a mammal, bird, or fish for permanent display. Watch local taxidermist Paul Reynolds mount a whitetail deer head using the fine art of taxidermy.
HARVEST-FEST
Date: October 13, 2018 - October 14, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM
Bring the whole family to enjoy this unique celebration of fall-themed games, activities, and attractions! ‘Old tyme’ harvest games include favorites from the past like the giant spider legs, pumpkin long jump, rodent barn maze, lil’ hayride, & more! Wait ‘til you see the new activities that will be unveiled at this year’s event! Come ready to crawl, dodge, jump, search, & maybe get a little wet!
10am-3pm each day.
Novemeber 11th CLOSING DAY FOR THE PARK
Date: November 11, 2018
Time: 9:30 AM
Free admission for U.S. Military personnel, Veterans & their immediate family members on our last day of the season.
More Information
Our picnic shelters and Outdoor Classroom may be reserved for parties, special occasions, family gatherings and more!
Special Wildlife programs and tours available.
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.