2024 Festival Updates Page
Watch here during the festival for any updates or schedule changes!
WEATHER UPDATE: It hasn't rained for months but rain is in the forecast and will impact the festival.
Wednesday: Pineywoods trip goes as scheduled but will return early to the field (weather permitting); Crowley WTP/mill tour will go to the fields (weather permitting) and WTP/mill moved to Thursday; Black Rail survey will go as scheduled (either from the fields/Hampton).
Participants who expressed interest joining the Wednesday Contingency Field day have been contacted.
Thursday: Looks like it is going to rain all day. Opening reception at Gator Chateau, pick up go lunches; rescheduled Crowley/mill leaves from Gator Chateau; others can bird on your own, or join local field trips that we will organize there. Gumbo at Myer's Landing as planned.
Friday: Depending on rain/harvest cancellation. Local trips as planned leave from the Hampton; or you can bird on your own.
Saturday: Pineywoods and Cameron trips leave as planned; participants may leave early to return to the harvest site. Jambalaya at the Welsh Museum
Sunday: Cameron trip leaves as scheduled.
EMERGENCY WEDNESDAY CONTINGENCY AT THE HARVEST SITE - that was a first, but...
It was slow at the harvest site today - rail numbers were nearly non-existent. There were 3-5 Yellows reported but in general seen by only a few people. There is still rain in the forecast for Thursday and Friday so we will monitor and keep everyone appraised of changes in our schedule.
As per our schedule, we'd like you to visit with you tomorrow at the Gator Chateau. Doors open at 7:30, check-in and orientation is between 9:00-10:30 AM. Most have already checked in, a few have badges but missing totes. A few were able to make it to the harvest site late today but still need to check in/pick up festival materials. Do come for the orientation and then pick up your lunch to go.
Lunches will be delivered around 9:30-10:00 AM for participants and volunteers and organized outside for you to pick up after the orientation...there were a few special orders so ask/look for your name on the bag.
As for field trips tomorrow, we will consider weather and whether harvest may occur later that afternoon. The rescheduled Crowley WTP/Mill trip will leave from the Gator Chateau after the orientation and once lunches have been secured.
We will consider the weather, determine if harvest is possible in the afternoon, perhaps organize local trips if interest or weather allows.
Gumbo supper with a Cajun band is at Myer's Landing from 5-8 PM.
We anticipate Friday scheduled trips will go as planned. Unknown at this point regarding harvest weather at this time.
I'll open up 5 slots per trip, if festival participants would like to register and pay online for the Pineywoods Saturday or Cameron Saturday or Cameron Sunday trips. If we harvest on Saturday then all day Saturday trips will return to the fields/participants can return to the fields.
When flushed by the combine rails often drop back into the cut portion of a field. To get into practice for the festival - can you spot the Yellow Rail hiding in the cut rice? This one is relatively easy.