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We are just ten days away from Beaver Festival III, an event that began as a very local effort to pressure our stubborn council to do the right thing and became an inspiration for similar events in other cities — two in Canada! This years festival will draw visitors from all over california, and we know of at least three that are coming from out of state! The picture above is from the truly unique event brochure designed by our volunteer graphic artist Libby Corliss. (Check out the “V” in beaver and let me know if you recognize that tail!) There will be five hours of live music, environmental displays, children’s activities, beaver tours, unique gifts and education. A children’s procession at noon will unfurl the very beautiful “beaver banner” which was created by child artists at the flyway festival and earthday this year. It will be carried through the park and then hung on the footbridge through the day in celebration. Get your cameras ready!

A much anticipated part of the day will be the Keystone charm bracelet activity – free for the first 100 children. (Up to 25 adults who can’t bear to be left out can participate for a $5 materials fee.) This enormously popular activity was hatched at the flyway fiesta and adapted especially for this unique event. Children learn facts about the way beavers affect their habitat and earn charms by explaining how it all works. Friends of Alhambra Creek will have the dragonfly charm. Salmon Protection And Watershed Network will have the salmon charm. Native Bird Connections will have the Bird Charm. Lindsay Wildlife will have the Otter charm and Worth A Dam information will of course have the beaver charm. There will be a ‘linking station’ where children can go to have their charms added and at least 4 girl scouts guides roaming and explaining to make sure everyone understands.  At the end of their activity the children will have a truly unique reminder of their day, that they can use to explain the value of beavers in the watershed to their friends, or their class mates, or their parents.

Meanwhile, our delightful and talented artist Frogard Butler will be helping children work with acryllic paints to populate a two sectioned mural of Alhambra Creek. She created the diptych basis for the creek design with the help of another artist from East Bay Artists Guild and children will be invited to add beavers, birds, willow, catails — as they see fit. The finished panels should make a lovely and movable display, and can hang alternately at the library, the city building, the district office or even the train station! Smocks, brushes and guidance will be provided, and all artists (young or old) are encouraged to participate.

Beaver tours will be lead throughout the day by close-observor, Jon Ridler. Learn about the primary dam and secondary dams, new lodge, how the flow device works, and see actual sign of beaver chewing. Maybe you’ll spot a resident muskrat or green heron! Remember everything so you can come back after dinner and see the event for yourself. The steel beavers created by Paul Craig for Mom’s memorial will be on display, and mom’s unique tail will be on the back of every Worth A Dam t-shirt. Visit Kathi McLaughin at the membership booth to see that this year we are also offering baseball caps and bumper stickers as thankyous for donations. The boy scouts will offer water for sale and Luigi’s popular store will offer a satellite for drinks and beaver memorabilia. Local vendors will include Wildbirds Unlimited and Divine Creations. Facepainting artist Alana Dill will be there to turn your child into a beaver or wood sprite, and when you’re done with all that stop back at the silent auction and increase your bid so that you can be sure you get what you want! Don’t forget to pick up a free beaver (temporary) tattoo from the information booth.

Top auction items this year include an overnight, dinner & tour at Safari West, tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, San Francisco & Oakland zoos and a host of generous donated wildlife puppets from Folkmanis. If you’re lucky you might pick up a unique framed photo from Cheryl Reynolds that will be a permanent reminder of the Martinez beavers. The silent auction closes at three, and when you’ve picked up your winnings and said your goodbyes at four, head over for an leisurely dinner at Lemon Grass Bistro or La Tapatia so that when you finish at 7 you’ll be ready for some actual beaver viewing! What a better way to end such a unique day!

Click on the photos or video to hear some of our musicians!