~ Photography by ANS Volunteer Karen Wilhelm

Past Nature Fairs

Audubon Nature Fair 2011

All ages gathered at Woodend Sanctuary for our Audubon Nature Fair that took place on May 1. New this year was a rock climbing wall scaled by a non-stop flow of would-be mountaineers, a geocaching challenge, and Nick “the Hermit” Jones historic house tour guide. Old favorites included the exuberant Washington Revels performing traditional dances, nature booth activities, live wildlife, bird walks, face painting, authors, Banjo Man Frank Cassel, and native plant sales.

Many thanks to the more than 100 volunteers whose energy and enthusiasm contributed so much to the success of the Fair. The Nature Fair could not happen without your help!

We are also enormously grateful to our Nature Fair sponsors whose generosity helped to make this year’s event possible. For a second year, Washington Gas provided a wonderful team of volunteers as well as major funding for the Fair. Whole Foods Market Montgomery County, whose ongoing partnership with ANS helps support our programs and events throughout the year, donated food and beverages to our hard-working volunteers. Chevy Chase Land Company, a longtime Nature Fair funder, contributed financial support as well as parking space at Chevy Chase Market. Bartlett Tree Experts and American Plant Food Company, two of our stalwarts, also supported this year’s event. And we were delighted to welcome several new Nature Fair sponsors this year:  REI Rockville, MOM’s Organic Market-Rockville, and Instant Sign Center of Wheaton.

Audubon Nature Fair 2010
Special thanks to last year’s event sponsors, who helped make our Nature Fair possible: Washington Gas, Bethesda Magazine, Chevy Chase Land Company, Whole Foods Market/Bethesda, Bartlett Tree Experts, Honest Tea, and American Plant Company.

Audubon Nature Fair 2009 Many thanks to those who
came out on a drippy Sunday to Woodend's 40 acres! Under tents and umbrellas, we enjoyed entertainment by the Washington Revels, Banjo Man, and others. Good food, beautiful crafts, and hands-on nature fun were also part of this year's annual celebration.

Audubon Nature Fair 2008
Months of planning and the participation of countless musicians, dancers, artisans, volunteers, and staff produced a lively Nature Fair this year. Children of all ages made discoveries about life found in pond muck, plants that “eat” insects, black rat snake behavior and more. They tested their wits on scavenger hunt questions and explored their creativity on handmade nature craft projects. Musical entertainment was heard throughout the day, highlighted by the traditional May Day songs and dances of the Washington Revels, the upbeat sounds of Appalachian Andy, and Banjo Man Frank Cassels, at left. More pics