The third annual Family Day Festival celebrates the anniversary of the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in downtown Moss Point which opened in October of 2015. The festival is held Saturday October 13th from 10am-2pm, is open to the public, and costs $2 for non-members or $1 for members. This community festival fosters the curiosity of the outdoors and nature through several free family friendly arts and crafts activities for children of all ages, including face painting. Enjoy the center as a whole, walk the trails, see live birds and bayou critters up close, and even enjoy some festival snacks like Pop Brothers Popsicles! Animal rescue groups will be onsite with live animals including a live screech owl, crow, 70 lb tortoise, and more!
“The community is abuzz with excitement for Family Day,” said interim Director Mike Muraco. He continued, “this festival gives us a chance to celebrate with the community and sneak in a little outdoor education as well.” Muraco even joked, “who doesn’t want to meet a 70lb tortoise”. Family Day encourages Audubon’s mission of conservation and education while bringing excitement to the nearby communities who may not have had a chance to visit previously.
Hands-on activities include a story trail, spotting scopes with seasoned birders, creating sunprint art using leaves and the sun’s rays, children’s nature play garden, crafting ladybug bottle cap magnets, tie-dye shirts, and terrarium ornaments with moss and pressed petals.