New Festival: Birds of a Feather Fest
Palm Coast - A new festival will soon take flight in Palm Coast! The inaugural Birds of a Feather Fest will span three days, Feb. 6-8, 2015, offering a weekend of birding, workshops, presentations, kayak trips and family activities. The headlining speaker will be Greg Miller of The Big Year motion picture and book.
This new City of Palm Coast event is geared toward serious birders, as well as beginners and families. A good number of the birding trips offered will be on paved trails in and around Palm Coast, making birding accessible to children and people with disabilities.
The Birds of a Feather Fest is the brainchild of Palm Coast residents and birding enthusiasts Jason and Mary Giraulo. Jason Giraulo is the City's Digital Communications Coordinator and Director of the new festival. With more than 125 miles of trails, miles of coastline, varied habitats and more than 200 identified bird species, Palm Coast and greater Flagler County are a birder's paradise. The City's longtime commitment to protecting and preserving the natural environment makes the new festival a perfect fit. Several community partners are assisting in the planning, including Flagler County and the Hilton Garden Inn.
"We want to attract serious birders to explore our unique birding opportunities and also introduce people of all ages to the joy of birding as a fun, recreational, outdoor activity," said Jason Giraulo. "Few places offer as many wonderful opportunities to enjoy nature while being so connected, accessible and clean."
A complete schedule for the Birds of a Feather Fest is at www.birdingfest.com, and registration is now open. Participants can choose as much or as little as they'd like over the three days, and some activities are free. 32 birding trips and classes will be offered, to such outstanding birding spots as Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Princess Place Preserve. The festival also offers plenty of activities for non-birders, too. There are kayak trips and craft projects for the little ones.
Sponsorships opportunities are available, and a limited number of indoor vendor spaces are also available. The Vendor Expo will be at the Palm Coast Community Center and will be open to the public throughout the weekend. The City is looking for vendors from the following areas: camera and optics equipment, birding supplies, birding tour companies, nature artists, outdoor outfitters, environmental non-profits and government agencies, and other companies that fit the festival vision.
Sponsors already on-board include the Hilton Garden Inn (host hotel), Flagler County, Palm Coast Observer, The Home Depot and Top Birding Tours. Please join us for the first Birds of a Feather Fest - Fun for the Whole Flock!
For more information about the Birds of a Feather Fest or becoming a sponsor or vendor, visit www.birdingfest.com or contact Jason Giraulo, Digital Communications Coordinator, at 386-986-2484 or jgiraulo@palmcoastgov.com.