Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival

Presented by Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, and Great River Hydro

The Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival was held May 5, 2024. Over 1300 attendees and 160 volunteers, vendors, exhibitors, and service providers came out to enjoy and learn about nature despite the rain and cold. Next year’s festival will be the first Sunday in May - May 4, 2025. Hope to see you there.

The 2024 festival in pictures:

The Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival received the following kind words that capture this very special annual event:

In the quaint town of Rockingham, nestled amidst the rolling hills of Vermont, lies Herrick's Cove, a wildlife refuge teeming with biodiversity. Every year, as spring blooms into its full glory, a dedicated team of individuals comes together to organize the Herrick's Cove Wildlife Festival, a celebration of nature, education, and conservation.

At the heart of the festival is a group of passionate volunteers and wildlife enthusiasts, each with their own unique story and connection to the land. Tireless efforts in organizing educational workshops and guided nature walks inspire visitors to appreciate and protect the delicate ecosystem.

Of course, no wildlife festival would be complete without food. Locally-sourced ingredients to create delicious meals that showcase the region's culinary bounty. A variety of cuisines kick off the season at this event, a story of community.

Behind the scenes, there's a dedicated team of organizers, volunteers, and sponsors who work tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the festival runs smoothly. From setting up tents and booths to coordinating guest speakers and entertainment, their collective efforts bring the event to life year after year.

As the 22nd occurrence of the Herrick's Cove Wildlife Festival fades to memory, visitors from near and far reminisce the beauty of nature, leaving behind memories of laughter, learning, and newfound appreciation for the natural world, the team begins to plan for the next chapter in Herrick's Cove's storied history.

Matthew Cole, Community Relations/Public Information Officer, Great River Hydro, LLC

The 2024 Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival was made possible by generous donations from our sponsors. We thank the following donors:

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2024 Schedule

7:00 am – Bird Walk with Don Clark and Ken Cox

9:30 am – Gates to festival venue open

10:00 - Festival Exhibits and Programs Begin

10:00 am – Butterfly Program by Jerry Schneider (Tent 1)

10:30 am – Turtle Walk with Jim Andrews

10:30 am - Scavenger Hunt & Walk: Terrestrial and Aquatic Invasives with the CISMA and VT Department of Environmental Conservation

11:00 am – Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences Program-Animals in Myth and Legend (Tent 2)

11:00 - Audubon Vermont Bird Walk for Kids

11:30 am – Lindsay and Her Puppet Pals (Tent 1)

11:30 am – Bug Walk with Michael Sabourin of the Vermont Entomological Society

11:30 am – Canine Search and Rescue Demonstration by Vermont Fish & Wildlife

12:30 - VT Fish and Wildlife and Audubon VT Program - Habitats: Messy is Best for Birds and Fish (Tent 2)

1:00 pm – Mike Clough of the Southern VT Natural History Museum - Live Animals Up Close (Tent 1)

1:00 pm – Audubon Vermont - Bird Walk for Beginners

1:30 pm – Canine Search and Rescue Demonstration by Vermont Fish & Wildlife

2:00 pm – Bats Program by Jerry Schneider (Tent 2)

2:00 pm – Squam Lake Natural Science Center Program- Why Do Animals Do That? (Tent 1)

2:00 pm – Bug Walk with Michael Sabourin

2:30 pm – Turtle Walk with Jim Andrews

2:30 pm - Invasive Plant Pull with the CISMA and VT Department of Environmental Conservation (prizes for the biggest pull!)

3:00 pm – Plant Walk with Lynn Levine - All About Trees

4:00 Exhibits Close and Festival Ends

NOTE: Early morning bird walk starts near the boat landing. Other walks start at the cardinal sign. The canine demonstration will be at the south end of the festival grounds (past the food vendors).