Friday, May 23, 2008

Bruce Peninsula Orchid Festival


The Bruce Peninsula Orrchid Festival takes place annually in Tobermory on the last weekend in May. This year it will be May 30 & 31st.

The Bruce Peninsula is renowned for its diversity of wild growing, native orchids. An astonishing 44 orchid species occur on 'the Bruce', ranging from abundant Yellow Lady's Slippers to the endangered Eastern Prairie White-fringed Orchid. For a small area, the Bruce Peninsula has one of the greatest varieties of natural orchids in North America.

The Bruce Peninsula Orchid Festival is your chance to discover native orchids and wildflowers, to learn from experienced naturalists and to be inspired by the rugged scenery of the area. Festival activities include guided hikes, orchid tours, orchid photography workshops and more.

Highlights of the Festival are the Friday evening presentation by visiting photographer – Jim Hixon and the Saturday evening Wine & Cheese and feature presentation by renowned naturalist – Michael Runtz.

Huron Fringe Birding Festival


This spring, from May 23 to June 1, MacGregor Point Provincial Park celebrates its 6th annual Huron Fringe Birding Festival.

In 1998, Norah Toth, Natural Heritage Education Specialist for MacGregor Point, recognized that an event like a festival could raise the profile of the park and also increase public awareness about the excellent local birding opportunities. The idea came from her observation that the park was a favourite of local birding experts Dave Fidler and Mark Wiercinski. Dave and Mark visit the park every spring to increase their Baillie Birdathon results.