NatureFest will return to the Mineola Nature Preserve with two days of outdoor activities, wildlife programs and educational events on Oct. 16-17.
The event, first held in 2006, will run from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the preserve, 1860 County Road 2724.
“NatureFest has always been about getting families outdoors and helping people discover everything the Mineola Nature Preserve has to offer. After the event had been absent for a period of time, we felt there was a real opportunity to bring it back, build on what people loved about it, and introduce a new generation of families to the Preserve,” said Jennifer Henson, marketing and tourism director for the City of Mineola.
The 2,911-acre Mineola Nature Preserve stretches along the Sabine River bottomlands and was established in 2002 through municipal efforts and matching grants from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Trails at the preserve include portions of an abandoned 1880s railroad bed. The preserve also includes historical markers and monuments recognizing the Hasinai Tribe of the Caddo Indian Nation.
More than 193 bird species have been documented at the preserve, which is designated the Birding Capital of East Texas. Other features include bison, longhorn cattle, fishing ponds, an 18-hole disc golf course, an archery range, a wildscape garden, more than 20 miles of equestrian trails and mountain bike trails at Greer Hill.
“For us, one of the biggest goals is simply getting children outside,” Henson explained. “We want them exploring trails, seeing wildlife up close, learning something new, and realizing that they have this incredible outdoor resource right here in Mineola.”
NatureFest begins Friday evening with campfire activities and storytelling.
Saturday’s activities begin at 8 a.m. with the Gator Run 5K, a trail run through the preserve. A yoga session led by Emma Dunning will begin at 9 a.m. at the pavilion.
Other activities throughout the day will include cultural demonstrations, vendors, educational activities and the annual NatureFest raffle, which supports programs at the preserve. Live presentations will include a falconry demonstration and Creature Teacher.
“I think the live animal encounters will definitely be among the biggest hits. Creature Teacher is always exciting because there is something completely different about a child being able to see an animal up close instead of just reading about it or seeing it on a screen,” Henson said.
Henson said organizers hope the activities give children a chance to learn while experiencing the preserve firsthand.
“Those are the moments we really want to create at NatureFest, experiences where kids are having so much fun that they may not even realize how much they are learning. Anything that allows them to interact, ask questions, explore, and experience nature firsthand tends to be very popular with families,” Henson said.
Henson said seeing children encounter something new is one of her favorite parts of the event.
“My favorite part of NatureFest is seeing children experience something for the first time. You can plan programs, schedules, and activities for months, but then you see a child get excited about an animal, discover something on a trail, or become completely fascinated by something they’ve never seen before, and that’s what makes all of the work worthwhile,” Henson said.