Arts, crafts and animals by the lake

HAWLEY, PA — The 2009 Audubon Art & Craft Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19 at the Wallenpaupack School complex, a lakeshore location on Route 6. Hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.

Children will have an opportunity to learn about owls, hawks, eagles, snakes and other reptiles from some of our region’s foremost naturalists. They’ll also learn why it is important to care about the environment.

“Education and fun for the younger set is especially appropriate since proceeds from the festival help to fund scholarships for children and teachers to learn more about nature and protecting the environment,” said festival coordinator Dave Fooks.

The Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center will present live animals and an entertaining presentation on the animals and their behavior on Saturday at 11:00 a.m, and the Ross Park Zoo will offer “Rainforest Biology,” an up-close presentation featuring live animals and reptiles at 1:00 p.m.

On Sunday, the Delaware Valley Raptor Center will present Bill Streeter’s program on raptors with owls, hawks and eagles at 11:00 a.m. The Pocono Snake & Animal Farm will offer a presentation on snakes and other reptiles in two shows, at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.

Artists and craftspeople from 15 states will exhibit and sell their original paintings, sketches, photography and hand-made crafts related to wildlife and nature at the festival.

Sponsored by the Northeast Pennsylvania Audubon Society, the festival helps to fund environmental scholarships and conservation programs for schools and community groups. Admission costs $4, and children 12 years of age and under are admitted free.