Participants enjoy a musical performance at Alaska Maritime Refuge's holiday festival.

Lured by live music, free holiday goodies and a chance to “See the Stars” at “Oh Starry Night” Discovery Lab, 250 visitors flocked to the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge’s holiday celebration at the Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center.  Young and old explored the world of sea stars under scopes and in the hand at the discovery lab run by the Refuge’s building partner Kachemak Bay Research Reserve.  Refuge volunteers ran a Santa’s workshop where visitors made pine cone bird feeders, tin can candle lanterns, and packing peanut ornaments.  Photos with Santa Puffin played by various willing Refuge employees, carols by the Inlet Winds, a campfire on the terrace and hot cider and cookies all added to the holiday cheer.  Special holiday programming at the visitor center will continue for every day of the winter school holidays with special films from the International Wildlife Film Festival, talks, and, in a grand finale on New Year’s Eve, a visit from a live bald eagle.  Student Conservation Association (SCA) intern, Lindsay Brady, is organizing most of the activities for the Refuge.