Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center
The Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center, 30 miles east of Tallahassee, was created to preserve the tradition of ethical hunting and active conservation by introducing Florida’s youth to the shooting sports and the great outdoors. The Center, the first of its kind in Florida, encompasses 160 acres that Turner has leased to the Florida Wildlife Conservation. The goal for the Center is to develop a stewardship ethic among youth through programs designed to develop their outdoor skills and to instill an appreciation and knowledge of the longleaf pine ecosystem and wildlife management techniques. We welcome the BTYCC to PWAF as they offer our young festival-goers an opportunity to try their skills at archery and a casting competition.
The Center for Wildlife’s Birds of Prey
Magnificent hawks, eagles and falcons soar through the Thomasville skies once again as the Birds of Prey show returns to the Festival. The popular show provides viewers an opportunity to become acquainted with large birds that they otherwise might not see and help develop a stronger appreciation for wildlife. Always a crowd pleaser, the show has performed at other locations around the Southeast, including Disney World, the Georgia Renaissance Festival, Weeki Wachee Springs Wildlife Park, Callaway Gardens, and Chehaw Park.
Children’s Art Contest & Exhibit
A highlight of the Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival is the tradition of the Children’s Art Contest for Kindergarten through 5th grade students, sponsored by Flowers Foods. The unveiling of the art contest winner, and announcement of the 100 finalists, is a not-to-miss event. Children, parents, teachers and friends fill Thomasville Center for the Arts’ auditorium each year in anticipation of the announcement.
Duck Decoy Carving with Ernie Mills and Greg Balkcom
Ernie Mills of Perry, Georgia practices a “functional folk art” he learned at an early age from his father and grandfather in southern Delaware. He was invited by the Smithsonian to make a few decoys for the 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. He was also nominated by the Georgia Council for the Arts to join the Southern Arts Foundation’s online southern artistry registry. Accompanying Ernie is Greg Balkcom, Georgia’s Waterfowl Biologist for the Department of Natural Resources. Greg won the Georgia Decoy Championship, sponsored by the Georgia National Fair. We are honored to welcome Ernie Mills and Greg Balkcom back to the festival. Visit Ernie and Greg and try your hand at carving a decoy.
Gulf Specimen Marine Lab
Our mission is to educate the general public about marine biology and promote protection of marine life. An underwater world awaits you: hermit crabs, scallops, sea anemones, crabs, bryozoans, tunicates and sea squirts, small fish such as spiny box fish and cowfish, cockles, starfish, brittle stars and sponges. These are just a few species available for viewing and touch.
Hunting Dog Breeds Exhibition & Demo
The sport of bird hunting is a favorite within the Red Hills of Southwest Georgia. There are many reasons why hunting is such a popular pastime and the beauty of our woods make it even more enjoyable. No one loves to hunt more than the hunting dog. Whether flushing, pointing or retrieving birds, the hunting dog’s enthusiasm is something to behold. Davis Arthur and Aurelia Carter showcase a variety of breeds along with their history. Continental hunting dogs that point and retrieve, like Viszlas and German short-hairs, will demonstrate their ability. Retrievers and spaniels such as the Labrador, with its variety of golden and curly coats, as well as the popular English cocker spaniel, will provide an informative and exciting demonstration. Also, see unusual breeds like a Nova Scotia Duck Toller or Spinone Italiano. Fun for all ages.
Junior Wildlife Art Exhibition
Now in its second year, this art contest for 6th through 12th graders
showcases the budding talent within our local school systems. The 50 finalists’ art will be displayed at The Bookshelf and Gallery in Downtown Thomasville,
November 4 – 21 and during the festival on Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
and Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Let’s Get Wild
Steve Scruggs, founder of Let’s Get Wild, a hugely successful multi-state program aimed at teaching elementary and middle school kids about conservation and wildlife, is known as the “Snakemaster” for his cool handling of all manner of reptiles. The kids love it, but, in fact, he’s just the sideshow. The top billing goes to dozens of mounts-deer, bears, beavers, even a great-horned owl that Scruggs transports around the South as part of his show-and-tell style of education. Last year, the Georgia native logged 37,000 miles in the service of education, and it’s estimated he has reached more than 1.2 million kids since starting his odyssey in 1992. A former sales manager and lifelong hunter, Scruggs has taken to his second career with an unbridled passion that the kids find contagious. His goal is to take LGW nationwide, as he continues to spread the word about the wonders of wildlife.
Miss Kitty’s Feline Sanctuary, Inc.
Miss Kitty’s Feline Sanctuary, Inc. (“Miss Kitty”), a Georgia Non-Profit Corporation, is a No-Kill, No-Cage Facility. Operated entirely by volunteers, the overall operations are administered by a nine member Board of Directors, all of whom are local residents. The sanctuary is dedicated to qualified cats by providing a safe and secure NO-KILL adoption center. This community-wide effort promotes spaying, neutering and support for feral cat communities within the confines of Thomas County.
Native American Demonstration With Ben Kirkland
Ben Kirkland has been making arrowheads since he was 12 years old. Ben’s skills include flintknapping (arrowheads and points), weapons (wood, bone, and stone), tipi construction, prehistoric shelters, Indian bows and arrows, crafting natural fibers, tanning buckskins, native American games, primitive foods preparation, mountainmen lifestyles, and Native American culture. Ben works and resides on the Parks at Chehaw in Albany. He is knowledgeable in the history and daily life of Native Americans. Visit Ben and walk through his TIPI. Watch as he makes fire, shows off his arrowheads and educates you on the daily life of a Native American.
Parks at Chehaw
Encounter snakes, parrots, turtles, ferrets and more as the Parks at Chehaw presents wild animals to excite and entertain. Volunteers will share anecdotes of a life spent working with and around zoological creatures in a humorous and friendly presentation at Thomasville Center for the Arts
Patsy Smith Roberts
On an early visit to Kenya, Patsy discovered she had a natural talent for photography. What transpired was a career delighting viewers with thousands of wildlife photographs. Her photographic imagery also captures the magic of African sunsets and the colorful cultural life of a Botswana village.The Botswana wildlife of the Okavango Delta, Chobe and Moremi Game Preserves is the setting of the majority of her photographic works. Patsy’s African travels inspired her to fulfill another lifelong dream of writing children’s books. In 2001, she established Savuti Muti Publishing and has published several books. The books illustrated through her many photographs tell a story with a moral which Smith Roberts hopes will bring meaning to the thousands of children she visits at Georgia, South Carolina and Florida elementary schools. Her presentations are filled with interesting facts about wildlife and Botswana. She has been a featured speaker at civic events and resorts. Her work is displayed at many regional art fairs. Patsy Smith Roberts is a 38 year resident of St. Simons Island, Georgia.
Police Dog Demo
The Thomasville Police Department recently announced several new additions to the K-9 Unit. They will join Officer Waylon Parker. Officer Daniel Powers was recently awarded the position of K-9 Handler in September 2009. K-9 Hado is a 20-month-old bi-color German Shepherd that was bred and trained in Europe before being shipped to the United States. The K-9 Unit Supervisor, Sergeant Chris Brock, also received a new K-9 partner. Axe is a 4-year-old bi-color German Shepherd. Axe underwent initial training in Germany where he earned a title in Schutzhund. Schutzhund (German for protection dog) is a dog sport that was developed in Germany in the early 1900s. It is utilized to test whether German Shepherd Dogs exhibit the traits necessary for police-type work. Both K-9s and handlers spent several weeks training in Mississippi before going on duty with the Thomasville Police Department.
Rose City Strings Project
The Rose City Strings Project was launched in the Fall of 2007, in the Thomasville City School System. Under the direction of Mrs. Davina Loskot Tucker and Sally Barton, the goal of the string orchestra program has been to offer classes in Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass to students starting in Fourth Grade through High School, and to provide an excellent way to showcase the talents of children from the Thomasville community. String playing is a complex activity which provides students with a unique way to develop motor and cognitive skills and enhance academic success. The Rose City Strings Project also gives students an outlet for self- expression and creativity granting children the opportunity to perform multiple musical styles and genres in a group setting. The program, now in its fifth year, plans to return to compete in Festival Disney at Walt Disney World with the 8-12th grade students in March, 2012.
Sheila Kline “The Spider Lady”
I find myself in this unique yet exciting position to be able to share my enchantment with spiders. We have all come in contact, at one time or another, with these scary and, for the most part, feared little and not so little creatures. We cannot, however, always recall what has made us fear them so. Spiders live incredibly diverse lives and are a very fragile but necessary part of the ecosystem that we aim to protect. My purpose is to clear up the many fallacies, untruths, misconceptions and outright slanderous facts that have been told regarding our eight legged friends so that maybe we can accept, without apprehension, their purpose and place in our world.
Staples Safari Animal Reserve and Rescue
Established three generations ago, Staples Safari Animal Reserve and Rescue began to aid in the rehabilitation of exotic and domestic animals alike. The Reserve is home to many animals each with its own distinct story. Our goal is to give these precious animals a story with a happy ending rather than a could-be tragedy. We are home to animals that have been confiscated at the U.S. border during illegal importation or rescued from abandoned or abusive situations. In its third generation, the Rescue seeks to continue to offer sanctuary to these otherwise forsaken animals.
Tallahassee Museum
Set amidst 52 acres of breathtaking Florida flora and fauna, the Tallahassee Museum has served as an iconic Tallahassee landmark for more than 50 years. Ranked as one of Florida’s top museums, the Museum encourages guests to discover and learn about North Florida’s natural environment, rich history and diverse communities. The Museum’s living exhibits of native Florida wildlife in their natural environment, nature trails and native gardens are renowned by visitors of all ages. Daily programs, annual events, free parking, a museum store and the Trail Break Café make the Museum a favored destination for more than 100,000 annual visitors. The Tallahassee Museum is a not-for-profit organization funded by private donations, grants, sponsorships, membership and fundraisers. www.tallahasseemuseum.org.
Thomasville – Thomas County Humane Society
A charitable organization committed to promoting the humane treatment of animals through a variety of means, including adoption programs, foster care programs, spay and neuter services, and community education projects with the long-term goal of eliminating unwarranted euthanasia. TTCHS has no affiliation with, and receives no funding from, any national animal welfare organizations. Memberships, donations, and fundraising revenue have allowed us to make a difference in the lives of over 5,000 helpless animals per year. As usual we will have a selection of loving animals available for adoption. Come see us, and take home a new best friend!
Wild Game Demo
Local well-known and celebrated chef, Stephane Ughetto, presents a cooking demonstration making a wild game paella utilizing duck & quail, as well as vegtables and spanish rice. Stop by to pick up a recipe and sample this delicious fare.
