Nature lovers and local families should mark their calendars for the highly anticipated Hummingbird Festival at the Wilderness Station, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 31. This year’s event, a highlight of the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department, offers an array of activities and educational opportunities centered around one of nature’s most fascinating creatures—the hummingbird.
Since its first official year in 2016, the Hummingbird Festival has become a tradition in Murfreesboro, reflecting the community’s increasing interest in hummingbird conservation and education. Last year’s event saw a remarkable increase in attendance, tripling the previous numbers, and this year promises to be even bigger and better.
Photos courtesy City of Murfreesboro
“The festival will feature educational, hands-on activities, crafts, local artists, food trucks, and live presentations all centered around hummingbirds and their conservation,” explains Charlie Walker, facility coordinator at the Wilderness Station.
Cyndi Routledge, CEO of Southeastern Avian Research, will lead live bird banding from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. “offering a rare chance for participants to witness research in action and learn more about hummingbird migration,” says Walker.
In addition to the bird banding, Outdoor Murfreesboro will represent the Murfreesboro Indigenous Plant Project, and native garden tours led by Tennessee State Naturalists will also be available. Children can engage with the Hummingbird Passport program, earning stamps by participating in various activities. A special gift awaits those who complete their passport. Families may obtain their Hummingbird Passport at the information station located at the entrance to the event.
“We hope that participants will walk away with the knowledge that small changes make huge impacts,” says Walker. “Maybe families will be encouraged to set up a hummingbird feeder in their own backyard or give a helping hand with our many volunteer opportunities that help protect natural areas or even make smarter choices when planning for herbicide or insecticide use.”
For those new to the Wilderness Station or the park, the festival offers an opportunity to explore its amenities, including exhibits featuring over 15 native animals, hiking trails, playgrounds and various outdoor activities. Information on homeschool classes, upcoming holiday events and volunteer opportunities will also be available.
Visitors should be aware that parking at the Wilderness Station will be limited, and attendees are encouraged to park at the nearby Barfield Crescent Park pavilions and use the provided transportation to and from the festival site; Veterans Parkway will be the sole entrance to the park on event day, as the Volunteer Road entrance will be closed.
Don’t miss this chance to celebrate and learn about the tiny—yet mighty—hummingbirds that enchant and inspire.
The Hummingbird Festival runs from 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd., Murfreesboro); view the day’s schedule at murfreesborotn.gov.
