ROCKINGHAM, Vt. – The Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival (HCWF), a beloved regional tradition celebrated each May since 2000, welcomed more than 1,500 attendees this year for a day filled with discovery, connection, and community spirit. Despite chilly, windy weather, festivalgoers remained in high spirits throughout the day, and when the sun finally emerged, it illuminated a vibrant and engaged crowd.
This year’s festival offered a rich mix of hands-on learning, live demonstrations, and guided experiences. Visitors explored interactive exhibits on environmental systems like the water, nutrient, and carbon cycles; engaged with wildlife educators from the Vermont Museum of Natural History and the Grafton Nature Museum; and connected with organizations like DarkSky Vermont. Guided walks and talks added depth to the experience, including the ever popular “Checking the Turtle Traps” walk with Jim Andrews, of the Vermont Herpetology Atlas, and “Fish Grow on Trees” with Courtney Buckley, of Vermont Fish & Wildlife, both of which drew curious and enthusiastic participants.
A particularly memorable highlight was the opportunity to view a nesting bald eagle through Ken Cox’s telescope, set up just behind the entrance booth. Interest was especially high, as many attendees had discovered the festival through the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences’ live cam, which was livestreaming as a new eaglet hatched last week and was recently highlighted by The New York Times as the No. 1 Way to Add Delight to Your Day.
Across the festival grounds, the energy was unmistakable. Children climbed trees, experimented with interactive play installations, and gathered under tents for storytelling and educational programming. The kids’ tent was a hub of creativity and excitement, featuring the annual crowd-favorite T-shirt painting with Jerry Schneider, sensory play and nature games from SAPCC, hands-on crafts like mask making and owl sculpting, and a face-painting station with a line that stayed 10 deep most of the day.
Live, participatory music drew visitors toward the food court, where families gathered to enjoy offerings from local vendors while kids played tambourines and bongo drums, creating a joyful, multigenerational atmosphere. Nearby, local artisans and exhibitors showcased regional goods, conservation efforts, and creative work.
The festival is also the Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society’s (AMAS) signature annual event. The festival supports AMAS’ ongoing environmental education and conservation mission. Donations to support its work can be made on the AMAS website, www.amasvt.org/donate.
Great Falls Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Aimee Parnell said of the festival, “We’re fortunate to live in a region rich in natural resources; with outdoor recreation contributing $2.1 billion annually – nearly 5% of Vermont’s economy – introducing children to nature supports not just conservation, but our future workforce and economy. What makes this festival especially meaningful is its accessibility; entry by donation ensures everyone can participate, and we’re committed to expanding that access even further in the years ahead.
“This festival is truly a community effort. I’m incredibly grateful to the festival’s original organizers for the solid foundation they’ve built, and their trust in me to help carry on their legacy. I’m also grateful to our GFRCC board of directors – nine of 12 of our new board members volunteered across everything from ticketing to parking, along with AmeriCorps, Vermont Academy, and community volunteers who made the day run so smoothly.”
The chamber extends its deepest thanks to the sponsors and supporters who made the 2026 festival possible. Thanks to this collective support, many attendees discovered the magic of Herricks Cove for the first time, while longtime visitors were reminded why this event remains such a treasured regional tradition.
As festival season continues across the region, the Great Falls Regional Chamber encourages residents and visitors to stay connected. Sign up for the chamber’s newsletter and explore the community calendar at www.gfrcc.org to discover upcoming events and opportunities.
Attendees are also encouraged to vote for the People’s Choice Awards and share feedback to help shape next year’s festival at www.tinyurl.com/HCWF2026.
The 2026 Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival was a resounding success, and organizers are already looking ahead with excitement.
Mike Walsh, of the Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society, who with his wife Marianne and a handful of dedicated volunteers has led the organizing effort since the first festival in 2000, summed up our shared hope for the future: “Next year, after more than 25 years at the helm, AMAS will be turning over the HCWF lead to Aimee and the Great Falls Regional Chamber of Commerce. Let’s hope for another 25 years of educational fun in southeast Vermont under her leadership.”