Events

High Country Hummingbird Festival Saturday

Posted July 27, 2017

Credit: Rory Akins

PINETOP, Ariz — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is hosting its 14^th annual High Country Hummingbird Festival on Saturday, July 29 at Sipe Wildlife Area near Springerville/Eagar.

The free, family-friendly festival will include:

• Hummingbird banding by Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory (SABO)
• Plant displays for attracting hummingbirds
• Live wildlife from the department’s Wildlife Center
• Wildlife walk with a naturalist
• Activities, crafts and talks designed for children
• Informational talks about hummingbirds, and
• A workshop on photographing hummingbirds

While the festival is free to the public, the department is asking attendees to consider donating new and unopened 4-pound bags of pure cane sugar to help feed all of these magnificent birds. Every year, Sipe uses up to 700 pounds of sugar to make the hummingbird food for the feeders around the property. A donation station will be set up in the Visitor’s Center.

The event starts at 8 a.m. and ends at noon. The Sipe Wildlife Area is located southeast of Eagar and Springerville. From Eagar, take Highway 191 toward Alpine for about two miles to the signed turnoff at the top of the first hill. Drive south five miles to the Sipe property on a gravel road suitable for passenger cars.

The Springerville-Eagar Chamber of Commerce will be providing breakfast items and lunch concessions for purchase.

Pets must be kept on leash and are not allowed near live wildlife. Pet owners be advised that there is no shaded parking at the event.

See more information on Arizona Wildlife Viewing, including the High Country Hummingbird Festival, or call the Game and Fish office in Pinetop at (928) 532-3680.