2025 Spring Bluebird Festival
Saturday, March 15, 2025
9:00 AM to 4:45 PM
Prince Conference Center at Calvin University
Grand Rapids, Michigan
The Michigan Bluebird Society is proud and pleased to announce the 2025 Spring Bluebird Festival. This annual all day event will be a day of fun and education with the focus on Eastern Bluebirds and other cavity-nesting birds in the state of Michigan. We will be returning to the Prince Conference Center at Calvin University for this event. The event is geared toward any individual, family or group who is interested in learning how to use nest boxes, feeders, plantings and land management to encourage nesting birds such as Bluebirds. Start off your nesting season on the right path by attending this fun, educational and informational event. Just a few things you can expect at the festival are:
• Informative programs on bluebirds and other native birds
• A Bluebird Expert Panel Discussion - Get all of your Bluebird questions answered
• A Bluebird/Nature Expo - filled with educational exhibits, local environmental groups, and vendors where you can learn things like how to use native plantings to attract more birds and other wildlife
• The MBS Store where you can purchase nest boxes, hardware, and everything you need to attract nesting bluebirds
• Talk to experienced Bluebirders one-on-one
• Exciting Prize Drawings and More!
If you have an interest in attracting bluebirds and other beautiful native songbirds with nest boxes, feeders, water, and plantings, this is THE event you want to attend!
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Cost to Attend: General admission is FREE! Parking is FREE! Lunch will be offered at a cost of $15 Lunch orders must be placed by 2-28-2025. See below to order.
Location: Prince Conference Center 1800 E Beltline Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI Website: Prince Conference Center
FESTIVAL AGENDA
Saturday
9:00-10:00 AM – Registration, Meet and Greet, Coffee or Tea - Join old friends, new bluebirders and the public for conversation, camaraderie and coffee or tea. Visit the Bluebird/Nature Expo including exhibitor, informational displays and the MBS Store
10:00-10:30 AM - Annual MBS Business Meeting - To be held in the Willow Room. President Kurt Hagemeister will provide an update on MBS activities in 2024 and our plans for 2026
10:30-10:45 AM - BREAK - Stretch your legs, visit the Bluebird/Nature Expo and the MBS Store
10:45 AM-12:00 PM - The Bluebird Question and Answer Session - To be held in the Willow Room. Get the answers to your Bluebird (and other cavity-nesting birds) questions. Join our panel of experts for this popular and informative question and answer session. Then sit tight - a prize drawing will immediately follow this session! You must be present to win.
12:00-1:00 PM - Lunch - If you purchased lunch, join us for lunch. Also another chance to visit the Bluebird/Nature Expo and the MBS store
1:00-2:15 PM – Keynote Speaker - What I have Learned in 40 Years of Bluebirding - by renowned author, biologist, bird blogger and artist Julie Zickefoose. This program is for all those who faithfully monitor nest boxes. Julie has learned much of what she knows about bluebirds by doing experiments and by doing things wrong before she figured out the right way to do them. Included will be beautiful video clips and hard-won bluebird wisdom. Julie will be selling and signing several of her books after this session. Remain seated - a prize drawing will immediately follow this session! You must be present to win.
2:15-2:30 PM –BREAK - Stretch your legs, visit the Bluebird/Nature Expo, MBS Store, exhibitors and informational displays
2:30-3:30 PM – Get to know bluebirds with Myrna Pearman - Retired biologist and naturalist, wildlife photographer and author. Myrna will walk you thru the A to Z's of bluebirds as described in her book of the same name. Her program for audiences of all ages will share her 4 decades of experience helping bluebirds, mostly in Alberta, Canada. Myrna will be available to sign copies of her book afterward. They can also be purchased in the MBS Store. Sit tight - a prize drawing will immediately follow this session! You must be present to win.
3:30-3:45 PM - BREAK - Stretch your legs, visit the Bluebird/Nature Expo, exhibitors and informational displays
3:45-4:45 PM - The effect of Light Pollution on Migratory Birds with Robyn Porteen - President of DarkSky Michigan. The night sky grows increasingly brighter due to the rapid growth of light pollution caused by artificial light at night, and birds are paying the price. How we can help by making simple changes to our lighting, from cities to private properties. Sit tight - the final prize drawing will immediately follow this session! You must be present to win.
4:45 PM - Adjourn - Have a safe trip home
See you next year!
How to Register for Lunch - NOTE - DEADLINE TO REGISTER IN ADVANCE HAS PASSED - If you missed the deadline for ordering a lunch, a limited number of lunches will be available to purchase on the day of the festival.
Please note that no one is allowed to bring food into the Prince Center. MBS has contracted with Prince to cater a box lunch for the festival. Selection was slim and we decided on one sandwich and one salad for you to choose from. If neither of these tickles your taste buds there are many fast food establishments in the area.
Lunch Choices: The Scandinavian – sliced turkey, Dill Havarti, pickled red onions, cucumbers, tomato & greens with peppercorn-horseradish mayo on Michigan Bread Company marble rye. Served with pickle, Kettle Chips, and water or Strawberry Hill Salad – grilled chicken over spring mix with feta, red onion, candied pecans and strawberries. Served with poppy seed dressing, pickle, Kettle Chips, and water. The cost for each is $15.00.
Order Online (preferred): Registration and payment is required for anyone who wants to join us for lunch. You can register for lunch and pay with a credit or debit card using our secure PayPal shopping cart (a PayPal account is not required). Register and pay for lunch by clicking on the Add to Cart button below to make your selection. Order online no later than 3:00 PM on February 28th
Mail In: Click Here to download and print our registration form. Please mail your completed form and payment to Michigan Bluebird Society, PO Box 254, Okemos MI 48805. Form must be postmarked no later than February 19, 2025.. If you cannot print the form, please include a note with lunch selection(s). Be sure to include the name(s) of the people you are reserving a lunch for and their menu choices. Then mail the check to MBS. Also include a phone number in case we need to contact you.
Registration Deadlines: Mail in registrations must be post marked no later than 2/19/2025. The deadline to reserve a lunch on line is February 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM.
Directions to the Prince Conference Center
For directions to the Prince Conference Center and a Calvin University campus map check here: Directions to Prince Conference Center
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