WHY a Vulture Fest?
For several years, nearly 200 Vultures (Turkey and Black) have made Wenonah, New Jersey their winter home, returning each evening to form a communal roost in town (their previous winter roost was lost to development). The scientific name for Turkey Vultures, Cathartes aura ("golden purifier"), refers to their role of cleansing the environment. Yet the behavior and beneficial contributions of vultures are not well understood by the public.  Since 2006, the East Coast Vulture Festival has become an annual event both to educate the public about the gentle giants circling our skies, and to celebrate the impending end of winter.  It is the only event of its kind on the Eastern seaboard of the United States.  Festival proceeds are used to support local environmental education.

This short video report from 6ABC Action News provides a good overview of how the Festival came into existence:

Festival Activities Include:

    Vulture Day Children's Fair

• Explore crafts, games, artwork, and educational displays.
• Watch live animals such as hawks, owls, turtles, and snakes presented by experts from Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge. (2 to 4 PM only!)
• Take a guided walk to watch vultures flying overhead and returning to their roosts around the streets of Wenonah.
• Browse the plush toys and other nature-themed merchandise at the Vulture Store.

    There will be no ticketed evening event for 2012.

Cost
For 2012, all events are FREE.

Location

The festival is held at the Wenonah Community Center (former train station), East Mantua Avenue and North East Avenue, Wenonah, NJ 08090.  (See the Google map for directions.)

Wenonah is a 20 minute drive southeast of Philadelphia, just 3 miles from Exit 56 on the Route 55 expressway.

The vultures are waiting to see you!