The Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) is busy planning for the return of the Trumpeter Swan Festival just in time as the swans return to the Comox Valley.
This Celebration of the Swans happens this Saturday at the K’ómox First Nations Band Hall on the Dyke (Comox) Road beside I-Hos Gallery.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with activities scheduled throughout the day.
Prior to the event photographers have been invited to submit their favourite for the online photo contest. Voting for your favourite online for the People’s Choice Award is easy.
You must join Pinterest to vote. Voting online ends Nov. 22 at 4 p.m.
A judges’ award as well as people’s choice awards (for Adult and Youth, Swans and Native local Wildlife) will be presented at the Trumpeter Swan Fest at 3 p.m.
Swan Bus Tours of some areas where swans can be seen up close and photographed with naturalist Steph Nathan will depart at 1 and 2 p.m. in front of the K'ómox Band Hall. Seating is on first-come basis and is limited so get there early to register.
The Zocalo Café and Gallery presents the Black Swan Fiddlers this Saturday at 7 p.m. A donation of 10 per cent will be directed to MARS if you make dinner reservations before the show.
South Hollow Gallery and Leapenhi Paper are sponsors for the Swan Origami workshop that will take place during the festival.
Swan counters (with Nature Comox Valley) have been in the fields of local areas every Tuesday counting swans since Oct. 29. On Nov. 12 the tally was 1,123 trumpeter swans.
“MARS has created a new Count the Swans contest for this year’s festival. Everyone can participate,” says event organizer Maj Birch.
Count the Swans by looking for them in the window displays of local businesses throughout the Valley. Support local business and count them all.
Submit your tally at the Trumpeter Swan Festival on Saturday before 3 p.m. A prize will be awarded to the winner.
Look for hints of where to find the “swans” on MARS' Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mars.comoxvalley.
Help celebrate the return of the swans during this year’s WinterFest with Moonlight Magic, Winter Wonderland and the Trumpeter Swan Festival.
— Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society