Sandhill Cranes make a pit stop in Othello
Chris Braunwart/courtesy photo - Othello is a much-needed stopover for Sandhill Cranes in route to Alaska.
The 21st annual Othello Sandhill Crane Festival is happening this weekend, March 23-25. The three-day event celebrates the return of the Sandhill Cranes as they head north to their breeding grounds in Alaska.
Activities kick off Friday and the Stevens Funeral Home, 511 S. 7th Ave. On Friday evening Cathy M. Nowak, a wildlife biologist from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will present a lecture on the mixing of two Sandhill Crane populations in Northeast Oregon. If you are in the mood for Italian food, the Eagles Lodge, 127 E Larch Street, is hosting a spaghetti dinner.
Othello High School will be the site for a family festival day a variety of lectures ranging from wildlife, Ag, insects to geology, water, climate change are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Featured speaker is Craig Simpson discussing the Columbia Basin Project and the water’s effect on agriculture and birds on the go at noon.
A myriad of child activities are also planned for Saturday including face painting, birding basics and mask making. Reichert’s Showhouse will be playing the movie Earthflight Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday it’s a day full of crane viewing and specialty tours. The Sandhill Crane Festival is coordinated by the Grant County Conservation District and is made possible by the generous contributions of dedicated volunteers, board members, sponsors, and experts in their fields who share their passion with those attending the event.
Visit othellosandhillcranefestival.org or call (509) 989-5606 for more information.