Pictured is a live animal demonstration from a previous Wild America Nature Festival. Live demonstrations and more are on tap for this year’s festival coming up this weekend. P-J file photo

PANAMA — Panama Rocks is set to host its annual Wild America Nature Festival again this weekend, complete with live animal encounters and more to help people connect to the nature around them.

Jonathan Weston, Panama Rocks owner, said the weekend will include live animal encounters, hands-on family activities, nature talks and more than 45 artisan and food vendors, all set in “one of Western New York’s most beautiful natural parks.”

“Guests can explore rock formations, enjoy folk music, and learn about wildlife, native plants, and even how bats help Chautauqua County agriculture,” Weston said. “This year, we’re excited to welcome many new artists and vendors to the festival, bringing fresh creativity and variety to the marketplace. We’re also thrilled to host the Wild Creature Discovery Center for the first time, offering engaging wildlife presentations, and to welcome Hawk Creek back to Panama Rocks after a three-year hiatus with their breathtaking falconry demonstrations.”

The Wild America Nature Festival will be at Panama Rocks, 11 Rock Hill Road, on July 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Weston said people should be interested in coming out to the festival as it is more than just a fun weekend, but also gives people the chance to reconnect with nature, support local artists and educators, and discover the hidden wonders of the natural world.

“Whether you’re a family looking for outdoor adventure or curious about wildlife and conservation, this event offers something meaningful, memorable, and uniquely local,” Weston said.

The Wild America Nature Festival is an important fundraiser for Panama Rocks, playing a role in helping the park stay open year after year. Proceeds from the event support the ongoing care of the park’s trails, forest and historic rock formations and allows them to continue providing a “safe, beautiful and enriching experience” for the local community and park visitors.

There is no entrance fee to shop at the festival’s artisan and food vendors, allowing people to browse the marketplace and eat without purchasing admission, and tickets are only required for festival entertainment and to access the rocks. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for youth ages six to 12 and free for kids five and under. Field parking is $5 per car and street parking is free where available.

“The Wild America Nature Festival is more than just an event — it directly supports the preservation of Panama Rocks,” Weston said. “By attending, you’re not only enjoying an unforgettable day of nature, wildlife, and local art — you’re also helping keep this unique park open, protected, and thriving for future generations.”