By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
Whether you want to stroke a live hawk's feathers, help your child build a butterfly house or find an inspiring painting to adorn your den, you'll find it all at the upcoming Southern Wildlife Festival in Decatur.
In addition to a variety of seminars that let attendees get up close and personal with wildlife, the two-day event, Oct. 15-16, features original sculptures, paintings, photographs and carvings from more than 40 artists across the nation.
Though thousands simply enjoy walking the aisles and admiring rare talent, many walk away with purchases they'll enjoy at home. Prices range from $20 T-shirts and small prints to $10,000 bronze sculptures.
Among the nationally renowned group of artists will be Hartselle's Larry Chandler, two-time winner of the Alabama Duck Stamp competition and former Ducks Unlimited national artist of the year. Artist of the Year is Joan Heflin Rankin, a wildflower painter from Lacey's Spring, whose works hang in the Alabama and Georgia governor's mansion as well as Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas.
As a bonus, attendees can visit with live owls, hawks and snakes during three seminars on Oct. 16 provided by the McDowell Environmental Center. Other seminars include cooking wild game, butterfly gardening and a talk by Huntsville's Bobby Harrison on how he rediscovered the ivory-billed woodpecker last year.
Children will enjoy the return of "Kids Gone Wild" that allows them to build butterfly and bug houses and meet two giant tortoises.
The show will be at Calhoun Community College, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the 15th and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the 16th.
Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for students and senior citizens. Children 6 and under get in free.
For more information, call the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-524-6181 or visit www.sowildfest.com.