Utah wildlife and rivers festival provides recreation, learning
One of the best regions in the country to see wildlife and run scenic river canyons is now home to a new event designed to help the public have fun learning about, recreating in and celebrating these resources.
The Utah's Wildlife and Rivers Festival (UWRF) opens for the first time in northeastern Utah on June 10-13. The festival will take place along the Flaming Gorge-Uintas National Scenic Byway and in the cities of Vernal, Manila and Dutch John.
With more than 50 planned activities, families, novice and experienced wildlife observers, anglers and river runners will find something unique and exciting at the festival, according to festival council.
Daytime activities on Friday afternoon, all day Saturday and Sunday morning include:
•birding and bighorn sheep tours
•art and digital photography contests
•children's animal tracks and rock-art program
•Intertribal Indian culture-education and powwow
•sidewalk art
•rock-art tours
•live endangered fish and hawks
•hiking and river running trips
•rock wall
•displays of historic and modern river craft
•Green River food chain program
•presentations on river running history by well known Utah historian Roy Webb
•visual tour and protection of "Utah's Most Outstanding Rivers" by Merritt Frey
•history of "Saving Echo Park" dam by Andrew Gilliford.
Many educational and hands-on displays will be set up by federal, state and local agencies and organizations.
For the competitive outdoorsman, the festival will include contests such as a dutch oven cookoff, plein aire art competition, Uinta mountain digital shootout, duck derby and the duct-tape sculpture contest complete with a variety of prizes.
The Saliva Sisters highlight the Friday evening's entertainment and a dinner/dance will take place Saturday night.
A talent stage will also provide music and entertainment at the main site on Friday and Saturday afternoon and evening.
Sunday starts with numerous outdoor activities at the main site and surrounding areas. At 10 a.m., the duck derby, or duck race will take center stage.
The festival wraps up with an awards reception for the best art and digital photography on Sunday afternoon.
For more information, registration dates and a schedule of events, contact the Dinosaurland Travel Board at (800) 477-5558.
| 
