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Special events help boost Ellis Bird Farm attendance

It looks like bluebirds, bugs and a “Bio Blitz” have drawn a record number of visitors to the Ellis Bird Farm this summer.
It looks like bluebirds, bugs and a “Bio Blitz” have drawn a record number of visitors to the Ellis Bird Farm this summer.

Executive-director Myrna Pearman believes this year’s attendance will surpass the previous season record of 12,000 visitors, although she hasn’t crunched all the number yet.

Special events attracted large crowds throughout July and August, starting with the Bluebird Festival, which was combined with Canada Day on July 1st and continuing with the Bio Blitz on July 23, and the Bug Jamboree on Aug 6.

Ellis Bird Farm’s “last hurrah” will be a closing day festival on Monday, Sept. 5. The site, including teahouse, will be open as usual from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pearman, a biologist and birding expert, will do a presentation about backyard bird feeding and squirrels at 12:30 p.m. Her new book, Backyard Bird Feeding: An Alberta Guide will sold, and the gift store will have a special sale on shelled and unshelled peanuts.

This will be followed by a 1-3 p.m. musical presentation by the Golden Music Makers, a Red Deer-area seniors’ band. A raffle draw will happen at 3:15 p.m.

Everyone is invited to “Come celebrate the glorious summer of 2016 one last time!”

Ellis Bird Farm is located 8 km east (on Hwy 12) and 8 km south (Prentiss Road/RR 26-0) of Lacombe. The farm is on the west side of the road, across from the MEGlobal petrochemical facility (formerly Union Carbide plant).