Following a two-year hiatus, the Sedona Hummingbird Festival has returned. The festival is hosted by the Sedona-based Hummingbird Society. The society seeks to educate the public about hummingbirds and protect this small species. “The mission of The Hummingbird Society is to teach about hummingbirds and to work locally and internationally to protect them. The hummingbird festival is our biggest outreach,” says Beth Kingsley Hawkins, the executive director of the Hummingbird Society. “Part of the emphasis of the festival is helping the species that are threatened by habitat by creating a hummingbird-friendly place by choosing the hummingbird-friendly plants.”
The festival will feature three days of presentations with a total of 14 presenters at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. “We want to have a whole broad sweep of experts,” says Beth. Topics range from how to garden to attract hummingbirds to new insights into their food and metabolisms. A banding expert will be on hand to place metal bands on the tiny legs of hummingbirds. These metal bands track migration patterns. One presenter of note is Carole A. Turek. Carole is on a mission to photograph every species of hummingbird on the planet and will share her adventures in places like Ecuador, Peru and Brazil. In the lobby, find artisans who craft hummingbird art and vendors in the marketplace. The marketplace is open to the public, and admission is complimentary.
For a separate fee, guests can enjoy a handful of activities. On Saturday and Sunday, attendees can take self-guided tours of private area homes where they view gardens and hopefully spot some hummers. Look forward to Northern Arizona Audubon Society-led birding tours of places including Oak Creek Canyon, Page Springs and Chuckwalla. The festival also features a Festival Gala Celebration at Poco Diablo that includes live music, chances to network and a live auction. Beth tells us that people travel from all over the world to attend. “So many people just love them and want to learn about them and are fascinated with all the species that are available,” says Beth. “It’s educational and it’s fun, and it’s connection with other hummingbird lovers.” − Teresa K. Traverse
SEDONA CALENDAR: Events, activities, shows, happenings
