Last year's Little Owl Festival student art contest winner.A look at the lineup
Stage Schedule:11 a.m. Awards Ceremony for Student Poster Contest. All participants will receive a certificate of recognition. The first place entry will be the logo for the 2017 festival.11:15 a.m. Bob and MikeNoon: Chattanooga Zoo Animal Ambassadors12:45 p.m. Tin Cup Rattlers/storyteller Jeff Paulson2 p.m. Emerald Butler with a surprise guest2:30 p.m. Peggy and the Girls3:15 p.m. James Ramsey4 p.m. Birds of Prey show4:30-6 p.m. Organized ChaosEducational Exhibits:Tennessee Valley BeekeepersSouth Chickamauga Creek Greenway AlliancePet Placement CenterHappinest Wildlife RescueAid a VeteranHamilton County Master Gardeners
The fifth annual Little Owl Festival will be bigger than ever, according to organizers with the Chattanooga Audubon Society.
Since the festival's inception five years ago as a fundraiser and publicity event to raise awareness for the area's oldest land trust, crowds have almost doubled in size: from under 300 to more than 500, said Ray Zimmerman, event coordinator and vice president of the society.
"In an area that's urbanizing so rapidly, we just want people to know [Audubon is] here, just off the main roads," he said. "We're the oldest land trust in the county and we just want to encourage folks to come out."
The day will begin with a student art show, followed by animal presentations by the Chattanooga Zoo, a birds of prey show by representatives with Harrison Bay State Park and more. The festival, being held Saturday, May 14, will also feature food, music and craft vendors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view Audubon Acres' visitor center and Walker exhibit area, which contains the C.E. Blevins Avian Jewels Collection, an impressive assortment of handcrafted replicas of 1,200 different bird eggs from around the globe that opened earlier this year.
"It's a good time for families, with lots of kids activities, and it's just a good way to spend some time out in nature," Zimmerman said of the festival.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The entry fee is $7 per individual or $15 per carload (three or more people). Audubon members get in free.
Audubon Acres is located at 900 N. Sanctuary Road. For more information, visit chattanoogaaudubon.org.