The 2022 BirdFest & Bluegrass will be entirely in person! The City of Ridgefield will be hosting in-person in-town events, including vendors and music in Downtown Ridgefield, plus we will have a self-guided Carty Unit Refuge hike, wandering trail stewards to answer questions, Sandhill Crane Tours, tours of the new Refuge office building, and a bus tour of the River ‘S’ Unit!
The Refuge will be fee-free, and seasonal trails will be open for an extra weekend!
Commemorative Buttons featuring the Bird of the Year, the Killdeer, on sale at Seasons Coffee & Tea inside of the Old Liberty Theater in Downtown Ridgefield, and Vancouver's Backyard Birdshop, for $5! Buttons will be available while supplies last during the festival as well.
On the Refuge
Carty Unit Activities – 28908 NW Main Ave, 10am-4pm
10am – Opening Blessing with Chinook Indian Nation
10:30am- Guided Geology Tour
Montana Comes to Ridgefield. Join local geologist Jim Maul for an interpretive walk around the Carty Unit. Jim will share with you the story of the landscape of the Refuge and Ridgefield area and its connection to the Missoula Floods that inundated our area at the end of the last ice age. Meet at the Oaks-to-Wetlands Trailhead by the fee station.
Spotting Scopes with Vancouver Audubon
While you check out the new administration building on the Carty Unit, stop by the Administrative Office overlook deck to visit with Vancouver Audubon Society birders staffing a scoping station overlooking Carty Lake and more.
Community Partners booths
Come connect with our family of partner organizations dedicated to helping you connect with the outdoors.
Self-Guided Wander Walk
Wander the Oaks-to-Wetlands Trail and find out how your senses can enhance your appreciation of the outdoors. Signs will lead you down the paved quarter-mile portion of the entire 1.39-mile trail. The trail leading from parking lot to the walk is compact gravel.
Family Activities
Join Fish & Wildlife staff and volunteers for family-friendly wildlife related crafts and activities focused on Killdeer, Lamprey, and more.
New Refuge Office Tours Hourly
Starting at 10am, find out more about that new building you have seen growing on the Carty Unit for so long now! This building houses the administrative offices of the Refuge’s Fish & Wildlife Service staff, as well as volunteers and Friends staff. See where all the planning is done for Refuge programming and more in our new meeting rooms, and visit the overlook deck where spotting scopes will be stationed, and check out the view.
Photo Contest Reveal
Pro Photo Supply and the Friends of the Refuge will display the winners of the 2022 Photo Contest at the entrance to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Administration Building, on the Carty Unit.
River ‘S’ Unit Auto Tour – 1071 S Hillhurst Rd
10:00am: Visita Familiar Hispana--Reservation only- CLOSED
(Tour en Español / Spanish Language Tour)
11:30am-4:00pm: Auto Tour Bus Journey.
Join the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, and expert guides and assistants, on a free ride around the auto tour route of the Ridgefield Refuge, during BirdFest & Bluegrass 2022. Bring the family and possibly see everything from bald eagles to beavers. There is always something to see, and wildlife can be enjoyed no matter the season. This child-friendly event is perfect if you just want to learn a little about the birds you see, learn about the Refuge, or relax and enjoy the view without having to drive. Each tour has a limited capacity of 30 people.
Tours every 1.5 hours.
Sandhill Crane Tours – Reservation Only-- CLOSED
Downtown Ridgefield
Vendor Market – Overlook Park, 9am-2pm
Explore over 40 local vendors at Overlook Park from 9am to 2pm. Vendors include artisan bread and pastries, handmade crafts and gifts, artwork from local artists, snacks, ceramics and so much more.
BirdFest & Bluegrass Crafts - Overlook Park, 9am-2pm
Make your own souvenir from the 2022 BirdFest and Bluegrass! Our craft tent will be fully loaded with supplies and instructions for you to make and take fun bird and bluegrass themed items. While supplies last.
Orienteering – Abrams Park, 10am-12pm
Explore the Abrams Park permanent orienteering course! Staff will be onsite to introduce you to the sport of orienteering an you can collect a bird sticker at each control!
Used Book Sale – Ridgefield Library Community Room, 10am-3pm
The Ridgefield Friends of the Library Fall Used Book Sale! Great books and great prices!
Children’s books and DVD’s: $1
Paperbacks: $3
Hardbacks: $5
Bluegrass Music
Bluegrass Jamming – 12pm-5pm
Bring your string instrument and jam along with others at one of our dedicated jamming locations!
Outdoor Locations:
Ridgefield Craft Brewing Co. Taphouse: 120 N 3rd Ave, Back Porch, 12pm-4pm (21+ Establishment)
Sportsmans Public House: 121 N Main Ave, Back Porch, 12pm-4pm
Opus School of Music: 414 Pioneer St, Courtyard, 12pm-4pm
Carts by the Park: 219 Pioneer St, 12pm-5pm
Old Liberty Theater: 115 N Main Ave, 12pm-5pm
Indoor Locations:
Ridgefield Community Library: 210 N Main Ave, Teen Room, 12pm-5pm
Zebrun’s Starliner: 320 Pioneer St, Dining Room, 12pm-5pm
Bluegrass Performances – 11:45am-7pm
Overlook Park Stage, 113-131 S Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642
Phoenix Duo, 11am-2pm
Sportsmans Public House, 121 N Main Ave
Ash Creek, 11:45-12:45
Whistlin’ Rufus, 1pm-2pm
Hardshell Harmony, 2:15pm-3:15pm
Corral Creek, 3:30pm-4:30pm
Ridgefield Craft Brewing Co. Taphouse: 120 N 3rd Ave (21+ Establishment)
Whiskey Deaf, 5pm-7pm
Events subject to change, more details and up-to-date information on our website, stay tuned!
