(See Tours and Attractions for more site-seeing information.)
Registration, Hospitality Gathering 4-8 PM
Unwind after your drive and pick up your registration packet for the weekend’s activities at the “Shore Arts Center”, in downtown Lamar. Official kick off for the festival; meet folks, ask questions, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a “Taste of Lamar”, enjoy the musical talents of our local orchestra! Shore Arts Center, 115 S. Main St.
8 AM – 4:30 PM -Amache, Sand Creek and More… Tour
Take a step back in time on this tour to visit sites of historical significance! Discover Camp Amache, a Japanese Internment camp from World War II. Tour the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, location of the massacre of hundreds of Cheyenne and Arapaho. Visit the Towner Bus Memorial, Wildhorse Creek School and Speer Prairie Ranch, Trail City and Holly. Buy your own lunch in Holly. We’ll provide the bus, snacks and tour guide. Bus and outdoor tour, cost $20 per person. Meet At Lamar High School.
8 AM – 5 PM -South Canyon Tour
Enjoy a day full of history, scenery and birding in the grasslands and canyon country in the southeast corner of Colorado. Visit Picture Canyon and Carrizo Canyon in the Comanche National Grasslands. See petrolgyphs on the canyon walls. Hear stories of more recent human settlement in the area. Buy your own lunch at the café, we’ll provide the bus, snacks and tour guide. Bus and outdoor tour, cost $20 per person. Meet At Lamar High School.
1 PM – 5 PM -Two Buttes Birding Tour
What a gem, a hidden canyon in the rolling plains of SE Colorado! Two Buttes Reservoir State Wildlife Area, also known as “The Black Hole” is an oasis, and a must see when birding this corner of the state, especially during spring migration! Ted Floyd, from ABA will guide this trip. Will include some easy walking to explore the area. Travel by bus, cost $ 30. Meet At Lamar High School.
4-8 PM Registration, Hospitality Gathering and Book Signing
Unwind after your drive and pick up your registration packet for the weekend’s activities at the “Eagle’s Lodge” in Lamar. Meet folks, ask questions, and nibble on some hors d’oeuvres. Get your copy of “Prairie Spring” signed by Pete Dunne himself! A few of Pete’s titles will be available to purchase. An additional option, enjoy a wine tasting event, cost TBA. Eagles Lodge, 1220 S. Main St, Lamar
8 AM - 6 PM Nature Arts and Crafts Fair
Come see artisans displaying their creations, including artworks, photography, and crafts. Check out the Silent Auction – place your bids before the banquet! Visit with staff at the informational booths from Comanche National Grasslands, National Park Service, John Martin Reservoir, Division of Wildlife, Pueblo Raptor Center, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, and more! All day Saturday in the Lamar High School Gym.
Silent Auction
Located in the Lamar High School Gym on Saturday.
Birds of Prey – Up Close
Visit the Pueblo Raptor Center booth to see some of their live hawks, eagles or owls up close - all day Saturday in the Lamar High School Gym. Indoors
Kids’ Zone
Visit the Kids’ Zone for hands-on fun activities for kids of all ages. All day Saturday in the Lamar High School Gym, Indoors.
8-9 AM Morning Bird Walk
Enjoy a morning walk through Lamar Community College Woods, one of the sites on the Colorado Birding Trail. Walk leaders will provide assistance in locating and identifying winter birds. Meet at north Trailhead, outdoors behind Lamar Community College, 2401 S. Main St, Lamar.
8 AM – 12 PM Breakfast with Pete Dunne, and Raptor Tour
Be part of the small group to spend a special morning with Pete Dunne! Enjoy a wonderful breakfast at Chez DuVall’s restaurant in Granada then, tour the grasslands in an area known for several species of raptors. Bus and breakfast included, cost $85. Indoors and outdoors, minimal walking. Meet the small bus for this limited tour at Lamar High School.
9 AM - Wildlife Photography Workshop
Join Steve Goodman to learn more about wildlife photography, tips, tricks, and how to get that great photo with moving subjects and changing conditions! Steve has traveled around the world capturing wildlife with his lens and has much to share. Here’s your chance to be interactive – bring your photos and problems for critiquing and suggestions! Indoors at Lamar High School Auditorium.
9 AM - Towner Bus Tragedy
In the frigid winter of 1931, a March blizzard trapped 20 children on a school bus between the rural Colorado towns of Holly and Towner, near the Kansas border. Five children died from exposure, as did the bus driver. Local historian, Jesse Melton, has created a scale model of the school and surrounding area. Join him as he reviews the timeline of that fateful day. Indoors at Lamar High School classroom.
10 AM - Building Birdhouses
Learn about building birdhouses with Division of Wildlife staff and volunteers. What’s the best house design for which bird? We’ll build a bunch and send them home with some lucky participants! FREE! Indoors at Lamar High School classroom.
11 AM Birds of Prey – Live!
Learn about hawks, owls, eagles and falcons through a live bird of prey presentation. Diana Miller from the Pueblo Raptor Center will discuss birds of prey adaptations, predator/prey relationships, specific characteristics, natural histories, the personal histories of each bird, and their work to rehabilitate the injured birds. Indoors at Lamar High School Auditorium.
11 AM Optics for Birding
Learn the ins and outs of modern optics. How to pick the best binocs and scopes for your needs. Indoors at Lamar High School classroom.
1 PM Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site
The Sand Creek Massacre took place on November 29, 1864. That morning 650 Colorado volunteers attacked a village of Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians. Dawn was broken by the clanging of muskets, artillery, and the booming voice of John Chivington – the Fighting Parson's final harangue to his troops. Within moments, a tragic and chaotic scene began to unfold. NPS personnel will discuss the conflict and ensuing controversy. Indoors at Lamar High School classroom.
1 PM - Colorado Birds
Ted Floyd, with the American Birding Association (ABA) will share some highlights of Colorado bird surprises, specialties and amazing facts. Speaking of amazing, Ted can tell you about identifying migrating birds, in the dark, by sound only! Indoors at Lamar High School Auditorium.
1-4 PM Light Goose Hunting Seminar.
Colorado Division of Wildlife biologists will present information about hunting snow geese on the eastern plains of Colorado. Topics will range from the basics for beginners, to tips and techniques for the seasoned hunter. Indoors at the Colorado Division of Wildlife classroom.
3 PM Homestead Act Presentations.
The Homestead Act had a profound impact on the settlement of the West and in particular Southeastern Colorado. Fred and Norma Dorenkamp, Arena Dust Tours, with the assistance of documentation from the Prowers County Land Office will present the history of the Act's evolution locally, how settlers obtained land, and detail a family case history based on research utilizing a web site database, searching land patents and deeds. Participants will learn how to access this information for their own family research. Indoors at Lamar High School classroom.
3 PM Koshare Indian Dancers
The Koshare Indian Dancers are Boy Scouts who have studied Native American culture, dances and costumes and will perform today! Based out of the Koshare Indian Museum in La Junta, they travel far and wide to perform and educate people about this culture. Indoors at Lamar High School Auditorium
3 PM The Art of Pishing
Well-known birder and author Pete Dunn will present “The Art of Pishing”. Pishing is a technique used by birders to lure birds close. Join Pete Dunne for 45 minutes of hands-on-lips instruction as he shows all and sundry how to wheeze, shush, warble and squeak their way to peace, harmony, spiritual enlightenment (and a few good birds). Outdoors, meet at north trailhead, outdoors behind Lamar Community College, 2401 S. Main St, Lamar.
6:30 Evening Banquet
Join us for a delicious banquet, must pre-register. Adults $ 20, Children 6-12 yrs $ 10
8 PM Prairie Spring: A Journey Into the Heart of a Season.
JPeter Dunne, birder and author, travelled through these parts in 2007 with the goal of witnessing the coming of spring on America’s prairie grasslands. Weaving his insight and experiences in this journal, he touches on history, geology, plant life, and human encounters, and the always present allure of bird life. Hear Pete’s tale of the journey and creation of the book. Some books will be available to purchase and be signed. Indoors at Lamar High School Auditorium
5:15-10 AM Sunrise Tour
Watch the snow geese wake up and fly off to their feeding grounds. Tour State Wildlife Areas and farm fields to see a variety of waterfowl including bald eagles, sandhill cranes, ducks and shorebirds. Warm up with a hearty breakfast and good company indoors at the Eads Community Center before the trip back to Lamar. Cost: $15.00 per person over 6, includes breakfast. Outdoor tour by bus, meet at the Division of Wildlife Office, 2500 S. Main St, Lamar.
Refund Policy – No refunds after February 12, 2010
Registration Fee –Register early to get a discount! $10 before Feb. 12, 2010. After Feb. 12 - $15 per adult.
Your registration fee enters you into a drawing for a GRAND PRIZE, awarded at the Banquet Saturday night. You need not be present to win!