International Festival of Owls

Activities
Live owl programs
Owl crafts
Vendors
Medallion hunt
Kids owl art contest
Owl-themed food
Kids’ owl calling contest
World Owl Hall of Fame speakers from Colorado (in-person), German (live video), and possibly Nepal
Birding and Natural History bus trip
Owl nest box building
Owl pellet dissection
Owl prowls

A full schedule of the 2025 events can be found here

Saturday, March 8, 2025  (events at Houston High School unless otherwise noted) —this is the busiest day
Story Stroll: “The Barn Owls” by Tony Johnston
8:00 – 11:00: Owl Face Pancake Breakfast (Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, $10 ages 13 & up, $5 for ages 4-12)
9:00 – 4:30:  Vendors & Face-painting & international children’s owl art show +
9:30 – 10:30: Live Owl Program – by Illinois Raptor Center +
10:00 – 3:00 Lunch/Concessions in cafeteria +
10:00 – 4:00: Visit the International Owl Center & gift shop, live owls on display (International Owl Center) +
10:30 – 2:30: Owl Nest Box Building and Owl Pellet Dissection ($55/box, $5/pellet) +
10:30 – 2:30: Kids’ Crafts +
11:00 – 11:15: “Owl Music” reading by children’s book author Kat Beaulieu (International Owl Center, might be standing room only) +
11:15 – 11:35: Short Meet an Owl program (International Owl Center, might be standing room only) +
1:00 – 1:45: Kids Owl Calling Contest +
2:00-3:00: Frequently Asked Owl Questions program (International Owl Center) +
3:00 – 4:00: Live Owl Program – by Illinois Raptor Center +
7:00 PM:  World Owl Hall of Fame award presentation; video by Rudolf Schaaf from Germany; Keynote presentation by Scott Rashid from Colorado; owl woodcarving exhibition by Robin Warburton; owl-themed refreshments (Houston Elementary School, pre-registration required
+ Festival wristband required: $12/adult, $8 ages 4-17, members and ages 3 & under free