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

Sunday, March 9, 2025 (events at Houston High School unless otherwise noted) –much less crowded than Saturday
Story Stroll: “The Barn Owls” by Tony Johnston
8:00 – 12:00:  Birding, Natural History & Geology bus trip (Meet at Houston Nature Center, pre-registration required)
9:00 – 1:00: Vendors & Face-painting & international children’s owl art show +
9:30 – 10:30: Live Owl Program – by Illinois Raptor Center +
10:00 – 1:00 Lunch/Concessions in cafeteria +
10:30 – 1:00: Kids’ Crafts +
10:30 – 1:00: Owl Nest Box Building and Owl Pellet Dissection ($55/box, $5/pellet) +
10:00 – 4:00:  Visit the International Owl Center & gift shop, live owls on display (International Owl Center)
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)
12:00:  Alice the Great Horned Owl’s hatch-day cake (free, until it’s gone, high school cafeteria)
1:00 – 2:00: Live Owl Program – by Illinois Raptor Center +
2:00 – 3:00: Presentation by Raju Acharya from Nepal (International Owl Center, might be standing room only) +
+ Festival wristband required: $12/adult, $8 ages 4-17, members and ages 3 & under free