ADDISON — If you enjoy wildlife, be sure to make plans to attend the 16th annual Dead Creek Wildlife Day in Addison, Vermont on Saturday, Oct. 7. 
Activities at Dead Creek Wildlife Day are especially for people who enjoy hunting, fishing, bird watching, or learning about Vermont’s diverse wildlife. The event will be held at the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on Route 17 west of Route 22A.
Early risers can begin the day with a bird banding demonstration at 7:00 a.m. Two large tents at Dead Creek WMA headquarters will open at 9:30 a.m., featuring wildlife-related exhibits and activities such as decoy carving, building bluebird boxes, and wildlife photography. The brand new Dead Creek Visitor Center will also open at 9:30 a.m. and will feature displays about conservation and wildlife management in Vermont.
One of the highlights of the festival will be a youth waterfowl-calling contest with prizes, as well as live music by a local band called The Swing Peepers. Nature walks, illustrated talks, live wildlife presentations, hunting dog demonstrations, fishing and hunting tips, and much more will be held until 4:00 p.m. All events are free, and a free shuttle bus will provide regular access to nearby field events throughout the day.
“There’s nothing quite like Dead Creek Wildlife Day,” said Amy Alfieri, manager of the Dead Creek WMA.  “The activities are fun; the demonstrations are very exciting and the setting is beautiful.  Visitors love to see the live animals and working dogs, and the kids love to build their own blue bird box to take home. With the new visitor center operational, there are many ways for people to experience and learn about Vermont’s wildlife.”
The festival is hosted by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, and Otter Creek Audubon Society.
For more information and a schedule of events, visit Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website vtfishandwildlife.com and check under Watch Wildlife.