Children enjoy some of the many wildlife-related activities available throughout the day.

Outdoor Recreation Planner Tom McFadden discusses Refuge issues with interested visitors.

A bat mist-netting demonstration attracts interest.

The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey held its 7th annual Fall Festival hosted by the Friends of Great Swamp. The festival, held on the first Saturday following Labor Day, kicks-off the fall migration season, introduces new visitors to the refuge and welcomes back many of the regulars. On September 9, 2006 a total of 472 visitors attended the day-long event enjoying a variety of activities, exhibits, interactive displays, and interpretive walks. Kids enjoyed the new refuge tracker game which involved visiting a number of exhibits to get their "tracker" book stamped with an animal track. Once they had all of the pages complete they received an "Official Refuge Tracker" button and a bag of goodies. Other activities for kids included a "habitat-toss", painting animal cutouts, the popular frog jumping contest, and knee-painting. The Raptor Trust was on hand with a live barn owl, always a draw for kids, adults, and photographers. There were wet-tank and dry-tank habitat displays, a bat-netting demonstration and exhibit, free food, and musical sing-alongs. Habitat walks are always popular, as visitors are able to see parts of the refuge that are normally closed to the public. Outdoor recreation planner Tom McFadden led the morning habitat walk and refuge manager Bill Koch led the afternoon group. The Friends' 2006 Photo Contest winners were announced and prizes awarded to seven contest winners. The refuge heavy equipment display drew a large crowd, giving kids an opportunity to climb into the cab and "drive" while staff provided information to visitors about how the equipment is used for habitat management and refuge maintenance. Thirty four volunteers assisted with everything from parking cars to cooking hot dogs, selling used books and staffing displays. As always, the staff of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge provided a great deal of support to the Friends in preparing for the event, and members of the staff were on hand to lead walks and help with activities. The fall festival has proven to be a great way to kick-off the busy fall season at Great Swamp while providing a wide variety of educational displays and interpretive information to new and repeat refuge visitors. It's always a fun-filled day for visitors and volunteers alike.