This free multi-day festival, with the majority of the events taking place on Satruday, March 16, celebrates the abundance of wildlife and bird species in this pristine area of the Pacific Northwest with fieldtrips, life raptor displays, workshops, educational activities, expert wildlife speakers and more.
Thursday, March 14th Activities |
4:30 pm to 7:00 pm |
Birch Bay Wings Over Water Art Gallery Walk Reception
Via Café & Bistro, 7829 Birch Bay Drive, Birch Bay
Everyone is invited to the Gallery Walk opening reception. Meet the artists, enjoy art exhibits, refreshments and a beautiful sunset over the bay! Wines by local winery, GLM from Blaine will be showcased. Pair your wine with chocolates from Sweet Art in Bellingham. Other appetizers served.
* Maps will be available at Via Café & Bistro of the Art exhibits located in businesses around the bay.
Cost: Free |
Friday, March 15th Activities |
10 am to 5 pm |
Birch Bay Wings Over Water Art Gallery Walk
Various Locations in Birch Bay
Birch Bay Wings Over Water Art Gallery Walk will feature a number of artists works exhibited in businesses around the bay including this year’s Featured Festival Artist Vivian Mazzola, a renowned Northwest artist who will have a new series of paintings exclusive for the festival inspired by her fascination of herons and the serene beauty of wetlands, marshes and beaches of Birch Bay. Maps of the Gallery Walk are available at Birch Bay Visitor Center 7900 Birch Bay Drive and Saturday at the festival, 975 H Street. The Gallery Walk will continue during the festival through Sunday, March 17.
Cost: FREE Art work will be for sale. |
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm |
WOW Festival Opening and Artist Reception
Blaine Bouquets Flowers, Gifts and Wine Shop
625 Peace Portal Drive
Join us for the Opening and Artist Reception of the 11th annual Wings Over Water Festival! Enjoy free wine tasting and meet our 2013 featured festival artist: Vivian Mazzola, a renowned Northwest artist who will have a new series of paintings exclusive for the festival inspired by her fascination of herons and the serene beauty of wetlands, marshes and beaches of Birch Bay.
Cost: Free |
Saturday, March 16th Activities |
10 am to 5 pm |
WOW Festival Information
Where: Blaine Middle School - 975 H Street
Enjoy lots of free activities for the whole family including Kids’ Activities, Expert Wildlife Speakers, Sardis Center Live Raptor Presentations, Food, Art & Craft Vendors, Wildlife Exhibits & Displays.
Purchase Fieldtrip Ticket Purchases for: Plover Ferry Wildlife Cruises Wildlife & Geology Field Trips*.
*Pre-registration ticket sales available starting at 9 AM. |
10 am till gone. |
Kids' Birdhouse Building
Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street, Blaine
Build a bird house to invite the local birds to make your back yard their home. ( For Kids up to age 14, while supplies last.)
Recommended Donation $1 |
10 am to 4 pm |
North Cascades Audubon Society Bird Viewing Stations
Where: Blaine Marine Park, Blaine Public Pier, Semiahmoo Park and Birch Bay State Park
Seeing is believing! You will be amazed at the number of interesting bird species you can see close at hand viewed through a spotting scope. Knowledgeable birders from North Cascade Audubon are on hand to assist and answer questions.
Cost: Free |
10 am to 12:30 pm |
Wildlife & Geology Fieldtrip to Semiahmoo Spit with Jim Jorgensen*
Ticket Sales/Bus Departure from Blaine Middle School - 975 H Street
Take a scenic bus ride around Drayton Harbor to Semiahmoo Spit, a 1.25 mile natural spit, rich in history, geology and opportunities to view wildlife. Guided by Jim Jorgensen, who’s background as a geology and ornithology teacher will help you to discover what makes this such an intriguing area of the northwest and premiere birding location. There will also be an opportunity to visit the Drayton Harbor Maritime Museum.
Dress appropriately for inclement weather.
Cost: $5/pp, Includes snack. |
10 am to 3 pm |
Plover Passenger Ferry Nature Cruises*
Tickets will be on sale at the WOW Festival @ Blaine Middle School - 975 H Street*.
(Sorry, no ticket sales from the dock).
The historic Plover Ferry will be taking passengers on a nature cruise of Drayton Harbor & Semiahmoo Bay with wildlife biologist Dick McNealy.
Dress appropriately for inclement weather.
For details on MV Plover Passenger Ferry, visit: www.draytonharbormaritime.org
Departure: On the hour, from Blaine Boating Center Dock. (Last Departure is at 3:00 pm.)
Shuttle Bus Available to and from Blaine Middle School to Blaine Boating Center.
*Pre-registration, ticket sales available, starting at 9 AM at Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street.
Cost: $5/pp/rt |
10 am to Noon |
Wildlife Presentation: "Eagles from the Mountains to the Sea"
by Wildlife Biologist David Hancock
David Hancock; biologist, filmmaker, writer and publisher; has been lecturing and teaching about wildlife and conservation for over 50 years. Founder of Hancock Wildlife Foundation, he is renowned for his use of live streaming video of eagles and other wildlife to promote the conservation of wildlife and its habitats through science, education, and stewardship.
Where: Blaine School Performing Arts Center - 975 H Street Cost: FREE |
10 am to 5 pm |
Birch Bay Wings Over Water Art Gallery Walk
Various Locations in Birch Bay
Birch Bay Wings Over Water Art Gallery Walk will feature a number of artists works exhibited in businesses around the bay including this year’s Featured Festival Artist Vivian Mazzola, a renowned Northwest artist who will have a new series of paintings exclusive for the festival inspired by her fascination of herons and the serene beauty of wetlands, marshes and beaches of Birch Bay. Maps of the Gallery Walk are available at Birch Bay Visitor Center 7900 Birch Bay Drive and Saturday at the festival, 975 H Street. The Gallery Walk will continue during the festival through Sunday, March 17.
Cost: FREE Art work will be for sale. |
10 am to 4 pm |
Alaska Packers Association Cannery and Fishing Museum
Where: 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine
Experience the history of Blaine’s fish cannery days, housed in an original Alaska Packers cannery building. The museum exhibits tell the story of days gone by and include a scale model fish trap, antique machinery, a gallery of historic photos, and an original 28 foot Bristol Bay fishing boat.
For more information: www.draytonharbormaritime.org.
Cost: FREE - Donations welcome |
11 am to 1 pm |
Workshop: “Gardening for Birds”
by Master Gardener Sue Taylor
Sue will use her combined skills and knowledge collected over a lifetime as a teacher, native plan nursery owner, and dedicated steward of the environment to show you how to transform your yard into a haven for birds.
Where: Blaine Middle School Cafeteria Stage - 975 H Street, Cost: FREE |
Noon to 1:30 pm |
Live Raptor Presentation:” Hunters of the Sky”
by Sardis Raptor Center
This is an exciting opportunity to have up-close encounters with many magnificent birds of prey including owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles. All birds are residents of the center that have injuries that prevent their return to the wild.
Where: Blaine Middle School - 975 H Street, Cost: FREE |
Noon to 1:30 pm |
Wildlife Presentation: Winter Birds of the Salish Sea
by, Joe Meche, North Cascades Audubon
Joe Meche has been watching birds for over 60 years and shares his passion in his writing and stunning photography. His efforts were instrumental in Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo becoming an Important Bird Area as well as the gateway to the Cascade Loop of the Washington State Birding Trail. Joe will share his views on the birds that winter in the local waters that are part of the large estuarine ecosystem now recognized as the Salish Sea. This area is home to over 100 species of birds.
Where: Blaine Performing Arts Center - 975 H Street, Cost: FREE
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1 pm to 3:30 pm |
Wildlife & Geology Fieldtrip to Birch Bay State Park with Jim Jorgensen*
Ticket Sales/Bus Departure from Blaine Middle School - 975 H Street.
Take a scenic bus ride to Birch Bay State Park to learn about this shallow bay estuary and also Terrell Creek Marsh, one of the last saltwater/fresh estuaries in this part of Washington. There will also be a short stop at the Birch Bay Wings Over Water Art Gallery as well as plenty of opportunity to view a wide variety of birds around the bay. There will also be a brief visit to BP’s extensive wildlife mitigation site. Guided by Jim Jorgensen, who’s background as a geology and ornithology teacher will help you to discover what makes this such an intriguing area and premiere birding location. Dress appropriately for inclement weather.
*Pre-registration available, 9 AM at Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street or call (360) 332-4544.
Cost: $5/pp includes snack |
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| 2 pm to 3:00 pm |
Wildlife Walk at Semiahmoo Spit
Sponsored by Northwest Park and Recreation District 2 and Let's Move Blaine
Join us for a family-friendly walk along the Semiahmoo Spit loop. Look for local wildlife and birds. There will be a scavenger hunt for the kids.
Where: Meet at the APA Musuem, Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine. Cost: FREE |
2 pm to 3:30 pm |
Wildlife Presentation: "What do Savvy Merlins and Crows have in Common?"
by David Drummond, Executive Director & Principal Investigator Merlin Falcon Foundation
The Coastal Temperate Rain Forest has long been the realm of these two life forms, as well as people. We will explore how their landscape has changed and the implications for finding a mate, a home and a meal. Join us for this "walk on the wild side"!
Where: Blaine School Performing Arts Center - 975 H Street, Cost: FREE |
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm |
Workshop: Who Eats What...Or Whom?
by Valerie Wade, Owner Wild Bird Chalet
Birds eat seeds, fruit, insects and each other. From vegetarian to carnivore-they thrive in our own back yards. How do we help them? Or should we stay out of the way? Step into the complex domain of birds and find out.
Where: Blaine Middle School Cafeteria Stage - 975 H Street, Cost FREE |
2:30 pm to 4 pm |
Live Raptor Presentation:” Hunters of the Sky”
by Sardis Raptor Center
This is an exciting opportunity to have up-close encounters with many magnificent birds of prey including owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles. All birds are residents of the center that have injuries that prevent their return to the wild.
Where: Blaine Middle School - 975 H Street, Cost: FREE |
5 pm |
Featured Presentation: “Snow Geese & Other Wildlife of the Wrangel Island Nature Reserve, Russia”
by Vasiliy Baranyuk”
Vasiliy Baranyuk, a Russian biologist, has studied this unique place for over three decades, with stretches as long as 87 days without seeing another human. Enjoy his stunning photography of Arctic wildlife and his experiences in this northernmost World Heritage Site.
Where: Blaine School Performing Arts Center 975 H Street, Cost: FREE |
Sunday, March 17th Activities |
9:00 am to 11:00 am |
Breakfast for Birders
CJ’s Beach House Restaurant, Birch Bay, 7878 Birch Bay Drive
Enjoy a great breakfast and presentation by expert birder, writer and photographer, Joe Meche from North Cascades Audubon. There will be an opportunity after the presentation to view from the beach some of the local birds close up through a spotting scope. For more information call 360-332-4544.
Cost: $13 for Breakfast, Seating is limited. |
10 am to 5 pm |
Birch Bay Wings Over Water Art Gallery Walk
Various Locations in Birch Bay
Birch Bay Wings Over Water Art Gallery Walk will feature a number of artists works exhibited in businesses around the bay including this year’s Featured Festival Artist Vivian Mazzola, a renowned Northwest artist who will have a new series of paintings exclusive for the festival inspired by her fascination of herons and the serene beauty of wetlands, marshes and beaches of Birch Bay. Maps of the Gallery Walk are available at Birch Bay Visitor Center 7900 Birch Bay Drive and Saturday at the festival, 975 H Street. The Gallery Walk will continue during the festival through Sunday, March 17.
Cost: FREE Art work will be for sale. |
