Creatures of the Night to Come Out at GEHC

As the leaves begin to fall and the crisp, cool air of autumn takes its hold on Georgia, the woods of the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center (GEHC) in Buford come alive at night!

Come experience the wonders of nocturnal animals and their amazing adaptations at the Creatures of the Night Festival on Oct. 19, 2012. The event starts at 6 p.m.  and ends at 9 p.m.

Meet real, live examples of night time creatures that might inhabit your own backyard, including an owl and an opossum!  The event will also feature an indoor scavenger hunt, crafts, informational sessions about nocturnal animals, owl pellet dissections, e-planetarium shows, and an enchanted walk among nature themed, carved pumpkins.

Throughout the evening, the GEHC will offer night hikes for both younger and older visitors where participants will use all of their senses to explore what goes bump in the night.

“Families and groups will have lots of fun at this event while learning about the creatures that come alive when the lights go out,” said Jason West, director of programming and development at the GEHC. 

The GEHC will also host a “green” pumpkin carving contest as a part of the festival to see how creative guests can be in carving their fall pumpkins with a “green” theme. Entries for the contest must be delivered to the GEHC before the event on Oct. 19.

“We are encouraging guests to use their imagination to come up with an eco-themed or nature carving for their jack-o-lanterns. Their creations will be displayed and judged by staff and visitors on the enchanted pumpkin walk at the Creatures of the Night Festival,” added West.

Admittance to the festival is included in the price of admission to the Center. GEHC members are admitted free. For more information about the Creatures of the Night Festival, the “green” pumpkin carving contest, or the GEHC, please visit www.gwinnettEHC.org.