First Friday & the Yard Art Cranes
- Library Lawn
The 9th annual Yampa Valley Crane Festival takes place on its traditional end-of-summer weekend, but it's virtual this year. In addition to the series of fun and educational videos about Greater Sandhill Cranes and other bird- and nature-related topics around the Yampa Valley and Northwest Colorado, the festival's traditional Yard Art Cranes will be flocking LIVE during the First Friday Artwalk on the Library Lawn along Lincoln Avenue for you to fly by and take a look in person. All viewers must wear a mask, and maintain a safe 6-foot distance from fellow admirers...hey, that's the wingspan of a Greater Sandhill Crane!
The annual Crane Yard Art display and auction kicks off with a safe, social distancing "walk by" exhibition Additional online viewing, along with bidding for the Yard Art Cranes, will take place from September 4-8 at www.32auctions.com/craneyardart. All proceeds benefit the Yampa Valley Crane Festival, which plans to return to Library Hall post-pandemic in 2021!
About the Yampa Valley Crane Festival
The Greater Sandhill Crane is an iconic species of the Yampa Valley. Returning in the spring, cranes nest and raise their young in wetland areas throughout the valley. In late summer and early fall, hundreds of cranes from the Rocky Mountain flock join the local birds to rest and feed before continuing their journey south. In non-pandemic years, the festival includes daily crane viewings, expert speakers, films, art exhibits, workshops, family activities and more. In 2021, we expect to return to these activities, with Bud Werner Memorial Library as festival headquarters and the venue for many of these talks, films and events.
Learn more about the Yampa Valley Crane Festival at www.coloradocranes.org.