Henderson Hummingbird Hurrah set for Aug. 17

Charms of hummingbirds, a kaleidoscope of butterflies, beautiful flowers galore and plenty of pollinators are ready for your enjoyment during the Henderson Hummingbird Hurrah on August 17 between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The annual festival offers free fun for the whole family and the chance to purchase yummy beverages, snacks and lunch, along with browsing local artisan wares to buy a souvenir. You can even learn about pollinators and what to plant at your house to attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

The Henderson Hummingbird Garden will showcase a licensed hummingbird bander between 9 a.m. and noon, who will be catching hummingbirds, banding them, collecting data such as weight and length, and then releasing them. The birds are not harmed!

Speakers for the day include renowned Minnesota humorist Al Batt and Stan Tekiela.

Especially for children of all ages will be crafts to make and take. Bring your creativity - lots of fun ideas and materials will be provided for you to make whatever you can dream up or complete on of the projects provided and take it home. An artist will be on hand to paint a design on your hand or arm beginning at 11 a.m. under the Bender Park shelter.

Master gardeners will lead a garden tour in both the morning and the afternoon and volunteers will be on hand with information about birds, bees, butterflies and blooms all day!

Raffle tickets are available for purchase and the winning numbers will be drawn at 3 p.m. (you need not be present to win.) Proceeds benefit Henderson Feathers, the 501(c)3 non-profit group that designs and maintains the garden and stages the Hurrah every year and is now the parent organization for the National Ruby Throated Hummingbird Center which will be opening soon in the former St. Joseph’s Church.

The Garden is located at the corner of Oak and North 4th Streets in Henderson, Minnesota. The banding and tour will be in the garden. Just down the path is Bender Park where the vendors, educational booths and the children’s pavilion will be located. Speakers will be under the Bender Park shelter just on the far side of the park.

Follow us on Facebook or at: http://www.hendersonhummingbirdhurrah.com for the latest information.