Tucked away in pocket right off route 62 at 1600 Riverside Road, the Audubon featured an array of vendors and exhibits that exemplified the nature surrounding it. From hikes with a naturalist, to meeting owls, hawks and other wild creatures, to carriage rides, sled dog demonstrations and an arrangement of talented artists and craftsmen; this festival lived up to its name of “Local Living”.

“This festival is focused on living more locally. Learning how to make something or do something rather than buy it. Skill building, learning a skill instead of buying a scarf, you could knit one yourself. Or even purchase one from one of our vendors,” said Sarah Hatfield, the education coordinator at the Audubon.

Being the eighth year that she has coordinated this event, Hatfield said that she has tried to get better at it each and every year. But she emphasized that it would not be possible without the help 80 volunteers that helped this year, and the volunteers of years prior. Nor would it be possible without the support of local businesses and organizations.

“This event is well-supported by local businesses, from Evergreen Outfitters who comes from Mayville every year to do the snowshoe demos, to Wild Spirit Education who comes down from Buffalo with the hawks and owls. These guys come to this festival regardless of weather. They come every year,” Hatfield said.

Some of the highlighted events were the carriage rides by Magic Moments Carriage Ride, from Bear Lake. Husky Paws Rescue from Pittsburgh held dog sled demonstrations with their Siberian Husky rescues.

In the north-eastern corner of the Audubon campus was an interactive exhibit for the kids. Volunteers taught the kids how to build their own bird boxes, built simply with some wood and nails, and the kids were allowed to pound in said nails with some assistance.

Downstairs, off on the right, one could find a large Great Horned Owl, mysteriously with only one functioning eye; that did not stop him from welcoming the visitors, however. To his left was an Eastern Screech owl, which to accompany its gray and black feathers was its relatively small stature. An American Kestrel, a raven, and a Harris hawk were also on display. All of these birds were brought in by Wild Spirit Education.

Later on at the same booth, one would see a new assortment of creatures, ranging from; a bearded dragon, tarantula, a large millipede, Alligator Snapping Turtle, and a small python. These were brought in by WILD Creatures.

Upstairs, within the Audubon, was the newly built indoor Nature Play Room. This play area featured several exhibits for kids; basket weaving, live honey bee encased for display, grain-milling demonstration, and painting.

Traveling inward, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, the Humane Society of Chautauqua County, and the Conewango Creek Watershed Association had educational displays up for visitors.

Beyond live creature displays, educational displays and demonstrations, many skilled vendors displayed their artistry. Ranging from recycled wool rugs, to recycled wool scarfs, hats, gloves and handwarmers, to leather working by Chuck Dole, pine-cone snacks for birds in the winter by the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners, feather-laden walking sticks, wool spinning by Knitting 4 Health, to “Polish Pysanki Eggs”, see picture for reference.

“If somebody has a particularly relevant skill, they can email the Audubon. For this festival in particular, people should reach out by November,” Hatfield said.

Recognized sponsors were: United Refining Company, Orkin Pest Control, Cattaraugus County Bank, Tri-James Services Inc., Royal Wind and Solar, Steady Plow Farm and Courier Capital, LLC/Randy Ordines.