Annual festival set for March 8-10

MONTE VISTA — It is that time of year again, the 41st annual Crane Festival is flying into Monte Vista on March 8-10. The festival is collaborative effort of the Friends of the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuges, the City of Monte Vista, the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce, and the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Complex.

Soon people will be able to witness the majestic flight of these beautiful birds on their springtime migration through the San Luis Valley. Every year, people flock to the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge to view the cranes.

Along with the festival the Craft and Nature Fair will be held at the Outcalt Event and Conference Center at the SLV Ski-Hi Complex. There will be photography for everyone to enjoy along with nature art, carvings, baked goods, handmade jewelry, clothing, and much more. It will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday.

Bus-guided crane tours will be available during the festival and new this year, the festival will offer Spanish language bus tours. The new tours will help the festival reach a larger audience. Tickets must be reserved, to ensure a spot on the tour.

There will be morning, afternoon, and evening crane tours during the festival. The tours will leave the Ski-Hi grounds and will be led by specialists who will speak about Sandhill Cranes and other birds as the tour proceeds to the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge.

A special access tour of the Blanca Wetlands is also scheduled.

Drive-yourself-tours at Trinchera Ranch and Home Lake are also available. All tours will be expert led; the Home Lake Tour will feature John Rawinski, a local ornithologist and author, who will share his expertise on local birds and where to find them. This tour will involve some walking, less than a mile on level ground.

The Trinchera Ranch tour is a half-day tour which will allow attendees to learn more about forestry, wildlife, and fisheries. Visit mvcranefest.org, for more information on specific times, costs and to register.

The Monte Vista Crane Festival is a unique event for all different ages of people.

The Sandhill Cranes are known to roost and feed at the Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge. In the past, attendees have enjoyed viewing and taking pictures of the cranes, early morning when the sun is rising and early evening while the sun is setting.

For more information and to register for events, visit mvcranefest.org.