Marsh Madness 2017 kicks off this weekend

Information and banquet registration is now underway for the 8th annual Friends of Goose Pond Marsh Madness Sandhill Crane Festival, scheduled March 3 and 4.

The community-based educational event, timed to coincide with peak migration numbers of Sandhill Cranes and other waterfowl at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area, will begin Friday, March 3, with the Bill and Theresa Gray Kickoff Banquet at Linton’s Elks Club.

According to the Friends of Goose Pond website, the kickoff banquet, which begins at 5 p.m., provides guests with many opportunities to meet other people also interested in all things Goose Pond.

“Friends of Goose Pond look forward to a great weekend of family oriented nature adventure, exploration and learning,” said Friends of Goose Pond Secretary George Sly. “Last year’s festival was very well-attended, and we think this year’s, the eighth annual, offers even more.”

Pre-dinner, guests will be entertained with music by harpist Tom Duncan.

Welcome comments will be given by Dane Strahle, President of Friends of Goose Pond. The buffet-style dinner begins at 6 p.m., followed at 7:30 p.m. by keynote speaker Anne Lacy, Reasearch Coordinator for the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wis.

At 8 p.m., the event continues with a live auction of wildlife and nature themed items, with auctioneer Brian Woods.

Closing remarks and auction checkout will conclude the evening’s events.

As stated on the FoGP website, a part of the festival on Friday, March 3, will be a public display and reception introducing one of Indiana’s best bird photographers, Marty Jones.

This reception will take place from 2-5 p.m. at the Carnegie Heritage and Arts Center venue, located at 1st Street Northeast and Vincennes Street, or 110 East Vincennes in Linton.

Jones’ work will be on display, and attendees will be able to meet and chat with the photographer. Jones works also include other Indiana subjects of interest, and his work will remain on display through the month of March at the venue. Call the Carnegie at 812-847-0165 for hours of operation.

According to the official 2017 schedule posted by FoGP, on Saturday, March 4, the festival continues, at Humphrey’s Park in Linton, beginning with self-guided driving tours from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.. By venue, the scheduled activities are as follows:

Roy Clark Community Building

• 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fish King Concessions, by Trent Wilkes

• 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Art and Craft Fair--showcasing birdhouses, pottery, photography, flower arrangements, hats, shirts, artwork, bees wax crafts, gourds, woodworking, monarch butterflies, Girl Scout cookies and more

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Live Birds of Prey Display

• 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Hardy Lake Birds of Prey Program

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wabash Valley Herpetological Society Live Reptile and Amphibian Display

• 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Hardy Lake Birds of Prey Program

•Festival admission tickets are required to attend the following cabin presentations and activities in Humphrey’s Park•

Girl Scout Cabin

• 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.--An Owl Pellet Activity for kids young and old. Join Amy Kearns for a hands-on investigation of the diet of the barn owl. Guests are invited to become bio-detectives as they dissect an owl pellet and identify the owl’s favorite prey.

• 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.--Tall Tales About Indiana’s Snakes. With Andrew Hoffman. Love them or hate them, most of us have heard stories about snakes, and possibly told a few of our own. Guests are invited to separate fact from fiction in this presentation about Indiana’s native serpents.

• 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.--Bats of Indiana. With Joy O’Keefe. This presentation will review the bats of Indiana, particularly those found at Goose Pond FWA. Dr. O’Keefe will review the basic life history of bats, including timing of key activity periods. She will discuss the benefits of bats and will give tips for attracting bats to your backyard.

• 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.--Indiana’s Large Mammalian Carnivores. With Taylor Rasmussen. This presentation will cover the status of the bobcat, otter, black bear and other large carnivores that have the potential to recolonize Indiana. Taylor will address reports that he recieves from the public and the problems with confirming such reports. He will also talk about the frequent “black panther” sightings in the state.

“This year’s Speaker Series promises to be one of the best ever,” said Sly. “Experts will be presenting programs on barn owls, Indiana’s snakes and bats and a talk about Indiana’s large mammalian carnivores, which is very timely considering the recent sightings of mountain lion and black bear in our state.”

East Cabin

• 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.--Bus tours of Goose Pond FWA (bus schedule will be detailed at the end of this event schedule)

• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.--Goose Pond: The story of a Wetland and its Neighbors. This award winning documentary by Bill Barnes will play throughout the day.

West Cabin

• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.--Kids Activities, Bird House Construction. Open to kids 12 and under who are accompanied by an adult.

Carnegie Heritage and Arts Center-110 East Vincennes Street

• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.--Photography Exhibit by Marty Jones

At the East Cabin at Humphrey’s Park, the popular bus tours will return this year. Bus schedule as follows:

Departure times

Bus number 1-8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m.

Bus number 2-9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m.

Bus number 3-10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

Sly commented, “Festival attendees will again be able to take one of our very popular bus tours of the GPFWA. Expert guides will be available to identify and provide information about the various bird species seen.”

The website goes on to list several area businesses that are available for those who seek lodging, including Red Oaks Retreat (812-512-1418), Goose Pond Cabins (812-659-2806), the Park Inn (812-847-8631, Shakamak State Park Cabins (1-866-622-6746), Allen’s Motel (812-847-8613), Pleasant Grove Bed and Breakfast (855-381-1081), Buffaloe Inn Bed and Breakfast (812-327-1369) and Goose Pond Lodge and Retreat (812-384-6246).

Tickets for Friday’s banquet at the Linton Elks Club are $25 per person, and include Friday evening’s dinner and auction, as well as all events at Humphrey’s Park on Saturday.

Saturday, event-only tickets are offered, at $5 per person. A Family ticket can be purchased for $15, and includes up to five family members. Children under three are admitted at no charge. Purchase these tickets at the Roy Clark Building at Humphrey’s Park or at the East Cabin bus tour stop at the park.