BirdFest & Bluegrass Festival 2022

In 2022 BirdFest & Bluegrass will be entirely in person! The City of Ridgefield will be hosting in-person in-town events, including vendors and music in Downtown Ridgefield, plus we will have a self-guided Carty Unit Refuge hike, wandering trail stewards to answer questions, Sandhill Crane Tours, tours of the new Refuge office building, and a bus tour of the River ‘S’ Unit!

The Refuge will be fee-free, and seasonal trails will be open for an extra weekend!

Commemorative Buttons on sale at select locations for $5, stay tuned!

On the Refuge Carty Unit Activities – 28908 NW Main Ave, 10am-4pm 10am– Event Opening Blessing with Sam Robinson, Vice-Chairman of the Chinook Indian Nation

10:30am- Guided Geology Tour

Montana Comes to Ridgefield. Join local geologist Jim Maul for an interpretive walk around the Carty Unit. Jim will share with you the story of the landscape of the Refuge and Ridgefield area and its connection to the Missoula Floods that inundated our area at the end of the last ice age. Meet at the Oaks-to-Wetlands Trailhead by the fee station.

Spotting Scopes with Vancouver Audubon

While you check out the new administration building on the Carty Unit, stop by the Administrative Office overlook deck to visit with Vancouver Audubon Society birders staffing a scoping station overlooking Carty Lake and more.

Community Partners booths

Come connect with our family of partner organizations dedicated to helping you connect with the outdoors.

Self-Guided Wander Walk

Wander the Oaks-to-Wetlands Trail and find out how your senses can enhance your appreciation of the outdoors. Signs will lead you down the paved quarter-mile portion of the entire 1.39-mile trail. The trail leading from parking lot to the walk is compact gravel.

Family Activities Join Fish & Wildlife staff and volunteers for family-friendly wildlife related crafts and activities focused on Killdeer, Lamprey, and more.

Hourly Administrative Office Tours Starting at 10am, find out more about that new building you have seen growing on the Carty Unit for so long now! This building houses the administrative offices of the Refuge’s Fish & Wildlife Service staff, as well as volunteers and Friends staff. See where all the planning is done for Refuge programming and more in our new meeting rooms, and visit the overlook deck where spotting scopes will be stationed, and check out the view.

Photo Contest Reveal Pro Photo Supply and the Friends of the Refuge will display the winners of the 2022 Photo Contest at the entrance to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Administration Building, on the Carty Unit.

River ‘S’ Unit Auto Tour – 1071 S Hillhurst Rd 10:00am: Visita Familiar Hispana (Tour en Español / Spanish Language Tour)

11:30am-4:00pm: Auto Tour Bus Journey. Join the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, and expert guides and assistants, on a free ride around the auto tour route of the Ridgefield Refuge, during BirdFest & Bluegrass 2022. Bring the family and possibly see everything from bald eagles to beavers. There is always something to see, and wildlife can be enjoyed no matter the season. This child-friendly event is perfect if you just want to learn a little about the birds you see, learn about the Refuge, or relax and enjoy the view without having to drive. Each tour has a limited capacity of 30 people. Tours every 1.5 hours.

Sandhill Crane Tours – Reservation Only Saturday 10/1 & Sunday 10/2

6am & 5pm The most unique viewing experience BirdFest has to offer! This is a once in a lifetime chance to hear and see the magnificent flight of hundreds of Sandhill Cranes as they visit their night roost. Join expert staff to learn about cranes and wildlife. Meet at the River ‘S’ Unit entrance by the kiosk 15 minutes before the tour time. Wear weather appropriate footwear and clothing in muted colors. Participants will be required to walk approximately 500 yards over rough, uneven terrain to get to a viewing blind. Please assess your own abilities for this event. Bring your own water. Space limited, $30.00 per person.

RSVP early at http://FRNWR.eventbrite.com. Non-Refundable: If you need to cancel or change your reservation, please do so before 6pm Tuesday, September 27th. No refunds will be offered but we can release your spot for someone on the waitlist. More information at FRNWR.eventbrite.com

Downtown Ridgefield Vendor Market – Overlook Park, 9am-2pm Explore over 40 local vendors at Overlook Park from 9am to 2pm. Vendors include artisan bread and pastries, handmade crafts and gifts, artwork from local artists, snacks, ceramics and so much more.

BirdFest and Bluegrass Crafts – Overlook Park, 9am-2pm Make your own souvenir from the 2022 BirdFest and Bluegrass! Our craft tent will be fully loaded with supplies and instructions for you to make and take fun bird and bluegrass themed items. While supplies last.

Orienteering – Abrams Park, 10am-12pm Explore the Abrams Park permanent orienteering course! Staff will be onsite to introduce you to the sport of orienteering an you can collect a bird sticker at each control!

Used Book Sale – Ridgefield Library Community Room, 10am-3pm The Ridgefield Friends of the Library Fall Used Book Sale! Great books and great prices!

Children’s books and DVD’s: $1

Paperbacks: $3

Hardbacks: $5

Bluegrass Music Bluegrass Jamming – 12pm-5pm Bring your string instrument and jam along with others at one of our dedicated jamming locations!

Outdoor Locations: Ridgefield Craft Brewing Co. Taphouse: 120 N 3rd Ave, Back Porch, 12pm-4pm (21+ Establishment) Sportsmans Public House: 121 N Main Ave, Back Porch, 12pm-4pm Opus School of Music: 414 Pioneer St, Courtyard, 12pm-4pm Carts by the Park: 219 Pioneer St, 12pm-5pm Old Liberty Theater: 115 N Main Ave, 12pm-5pm Indoor Locations: Ridgefield Community Library: 210 N Main Ave, Teen Room, 12pm-5pm Zebrun’s Starliner: 320 Pioneer St, Dining Room, 12pm-5pm

Bluegrass Performances – 11:45am-7pm Overlook Park Stage, 113-131 S Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642 Phoenix Duo, 11am-2pm

Sportsmans Public House, 121 N Main Ave Ash Creek, 11:45-12:45

Whistlin’ Rufus, 1pm-2pm

Hardshell Harmony, 2:15pm-3:15pm

Corral Creek, 3:30pm-4:30pm

Ridgefield Craft Brewing Co. Taphouse: 120 N 3rd Ave (21+ Establishment) Whiskey Deaf, 5pm-7pm

City of Ridgefield Website: https://ridgefieldwa.us/event/first-saturday-october/

Events subject to change, more details and up-to-date information on our website, stay tuned! https://ridgefieldfriends.org/birdfest-bluegrass/

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