The 2010 Whooping Crane and Wildlife Festival
For a number of years this was the official site for the Whooping Crane and Wildlife Festival. The first Whooping Crane and Wildlife Festival was held in 2001 in in Necedah, Wisconsin.
Content is from the tenth Whooping Crane and Wildlife Festival archived pages and other outside sources.
To get the most up to date information about the Whooping Crane and Wildlife Festival go to the town of Princeton Wisconsin's website and check out their Events Calender for September: https://princetonwi.com/
Can’t Live Without ‘Em: Whooping Crane
01 SEPTEMBER 2011 Posted by: John Motsinger / https://defendersblog.org/
Whooping cranes are America’s largest wading birds and also one of the most endangered animals in the country. Standing nearly five feet tall with a wingspan of seven feet and weighing more than 15 pounds, these graceful birds are an impressive sight on land and in the air—that is, if you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the exceedingly rare birds.
Crane species are also some of the oldest animals on the planet. Some crane fossils found in Nebraska were estimated to be some 9 million years old. Whooping cranes were once common across much of the Midwest, where they fed along marshlands and scavenged spent grain in corn and wheat fields. Populations then dwindled to just 21 individuals in the wild by 1941 as a result of widespread habitat loss. The species was first listed as endangered in 1967. And in 2010, fewer than 400 individual birds were found in the wild, with only another 150 being raised in captivity.
Today, dedicated conservation programs are working hard to restore these magnificent white creatures to large portions of their remaining habitat. The primary breeding grounds for whooping cranes is in northeastern Alberta in Canada, but a reintroduced population has also started breeding in central Wisconsin. It’s here that pilots with Operation Migration flying open-wing aircraft have been retraining cranes to migrate down to Florida.
Whooping up the tourism dollars
For 10 years, Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin was the home of an annual Whooping Crane Festival that attracted thousands of visitors and brought in more than $40,000 each year for the local community. A similar festival in Port Aransas, Texas, where whooping cranes spend their winters, is now in its 16th year and is a favorite birding trip for many nature enthusiasts.
Each year 70,000 to 80,000 people visit Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, mostly during the winter, and spend significant amounts locally on lodging, gasoline and supplies. Rockport Chamber of Commerce in Texas estimates that whooping crane-related activities result in annual gross economic benefits of $6 million to the local economy. Approximately 80,000 people also visit the Platte River area of Nebraska each year during peak of spring crane migrations, expending approximately $15 million.
"I attended this festival with my kids and their friends - we had a wonderful experience after raising funds with the Rockport Chamber of Commerce. Met lots of great crane fans. We also befriended the winner of the crane call contest, Rev Sale who was the most unlikely bird caller ever. He's a philosopher and pundit who has written extensively on arcane topics that have gained a following online. His most recent post involves the topic of "nothing." You may think this is a frivolous subject until you read his take on it - the notion of "nothing" is something that has enthralled the ancients for centuries. Depending on the definition of it, scholarly arguments can be made for the existence of god, or the exact opposite. Read his post to be enlightened about nothing. In Search of Nothing is both humorous and thought provoking. My kids loved the festival and we've been folding origami cranes for the fundraising displays and the festival photos. Great fun, great people, and we'll be back!" James Hill
Thank you to our sponsors and patrons for making the
2010 Festival a beautiful day.
2010 Event Schedule
| Registration for 10K Whoop It Up Run | Begins 6:30am to 8:00am on grounds |
| Main Festival Opens | 7:00 a.m. |
| Shuttle Bus (Between Festival and Refuge only) | 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. |
| Pancake Breakfast (All you can eat) | 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. |
| Necedah Refuge Bus Tours | 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (Every half hour) |
| Whoop It Up 10K Run | Start time is 9:00 a.m. |
| Arts, Crafts, and Commercial Exhibits open | 9:00 a.m. - Close |
| Speakers | 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Children's Tent | 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. |
| ATV Poker Run | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
| Necedah High School "Face Painters" (Pavilion) |
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Guided Walk at Necedah Refuge | 12:00 p.m. - returns at 2:45 p.m |
| Hatch Cranberry Marsh Bus Tour | 12:30 p.m. - returns at 3:00 p.m. |
| Chicken Barbecue Dinner (Pavilion) | 3:00 p.m. - Until Sold Out |
| Necedah Refuge Bus Tour | 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Raffle Prize Drawings (Pavilion) | 4:30 p.m. |
| Whooper Brew goes on sale | 4:00 p.m. to Close |
| Live music and dancing | 5:00 p.m. to Close |
For additional information visitors are encouraged to stop at the Information Booth
Children's Tent
| 9:00 |
Wildlife Track T-shirt Printing
|
| 11:00 |
Build a bird house and bird feeder
|
| 12:00 |
To be announced soon.
|
| 1:00 |
To be announced soon.
|
| 2:00 | Wisconsin's Frogs, Toads and Salamanders Kids will love learning about Wisconsin's frogs, toads and salamanders as they hold, feed, and listen to them. Many of the state's 12 frogs and 7 salamanders will make live appearances in a hopping, happy and hands-on experience! Presented by Randy Korb. |
Other activities throughout the day include a scavenger hunt, face painting, and a bouncing ball cage.
Note: Children 10 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Location:
NAB Field (Necedah Area Ball Field)
901 N. Harvey St.
Necedah, WI 54646
If coming into Necedah on Highway 80, stay on 80 through the "old downtown" area and continue straight at the Highway 21 / Highway 80 intersection.
If coming into Necedah on Highway 21, turn north onto Highway 80 at the Highway 21 / Highway 80 intersection.
Highway 21 / Highway 80 intersection is a four-way stop light. Kwik Trip is on the northwest side of the intersection.
The Necedah Area Ball Field (NAB Field) is located on the east side (right side of the street if traveling north) of Highway 80 in the northern part of town.
Look for the circus size tents. Necedah Boy Scouts will guide you to parking
ATV POKER RUN |
|
Fees For 2010 Festival
|
Adult
|
Kids under 12
|
|
| Admission | $2.00 | Free (Tours are separate) |
| Whoop It Up 10K | ||
| Pancake Breakfast | $5.00 | Free |
| Refuge Bus Tour | $5.00 | Free |
| Refuge Shuttle Bus (board at Festival Grounds) | $3.00 | $3.00 |
| ATV Poker Run (No one under 21 years old) | $10.00 | |
| Guided Walk of Necedah National Wildlife Refuge | $8.00 | Free |
| Hatch Cranberry Marsh Bus Tour | $8.00 | $8.00 |
| Parking | Free (Donations to Boy Scouts appreciated) | |
For crafters, exhibitors, and commercial booth fees please see Exhibitors Page
The Necedah Lions Club and the Necedah Wisconsin Lions Charities(a 501 (c) (3) organization) charges a fee to help cover the rental costs of the tents, equipment, and busses. Any profits made are donated to the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership, contributed to the needy in the community via new eye glasses and food baskets, or given to the area challenged-youth summer camp. We make every attempt to keep the fees reasonable.
2010 SPEAKERS SCHEDULE
|
Time
|
Speaker/Organization
|
Program Title
|
Tent (A or B)*
|
|
9:00 a.m.
|
Lisa Hartman &
Michael Mossman |
"Natural History of
Turkey Vultures" |
A
|
|
9:00 a.m.
|
Joel Trick
|
"Kirtland's Warbler
in Wisconsin" |
B
|
|
10:00 a.m.
|
Erin Railsback
|
"Food Stamps For
Ducks" |
A
|
|
10:00 a.m.
|
Bob Anderson
|
"Returning the Duck
Hawk to the Mississippi Bluffs" |
B
|
|
11:00 a.m.
|
John French
|
"Whooping Crane
Biology & Restoration" |
A
|
|
11:00 a.m.
|
Awards Ceremony
|
"Awards for Whoop It Up 10K Run"
|
B
|
|
12:00 p.m.
|
Lisa Hartman &
Michael Mossman |
"Natural History of
Turkey Vultures" |
A
|
|
12:00 p.m.
|
Joel Trick
|
"Kirtland's Warblers
in Wisconsin" |
B
|
|
1:00 p.m.
|
John French
|
"Whooping Crane Biology & Restoration"
|
A
|
|
1:00 p.m.
|
Bob Anderson
|
"Returning the Duck
Hawk to the Mississippi Bluffs" |
B
|
|
2:00 p.m.
|
Erin Railsback
|
"Food Stamps For
Ducks " |
A
|
|
2:00 p.m.
|
Jim Backus
|
"Nature Photography"
|
B
|
|
3:00 p.m.
|
Joe Duff
|
"Flying with Birds"
|
A
|
** Speakers and their locations subject to change
Results of the 2010 Raffle Prizes
| Item Number | Description | Donated by | Winners Name | |
|
1
|
$2,000 Cash | Necedah Lions | Jamie Johannssen | |
|
2
|
$1,000 Cash | Necedah Lions | Jason Steen | |
|
3
|
$500 Cash | Necedah Lions | Mr. and Mrs. Paul Tadda | |
|
4
|
Large Stain Glass Crane | Alena Banzing | ||
|
5
|
Spotting Scope | Kendra Bartels | ||
|
6
|
Carved Canada Goose | Diane Phillips | ||
|
7
|
Cardinal Painted Plate | Michael Belmonte, Sr. | ||
|
8
|
Whooping Crane Picture | Don Dodge | ||
|
9
|
Wine Basket | Burr Oak Winery | Diane Phillips | |
|
10
|
Monkey Puppet | Sue Stumpner | ||
|
11
|
Walking Stick | Friends of Necedah | Bob Stumpner |
Drawings were held on Saturday, September 18th, 2010
Tickets were available through the Necedah Wisconsin Lions Charities.
Congratulations to all the 2010 winners and THANK YOU to all who bought tickets to help support our charity programs.
Fourth Annual Whooping Crane & Wildlife Festival Photo Contest
Theme for the 2010 photo contest was
Wild Animals of Wisconsin
Congratuations to Teri Miles of Edgerton, Wisconsin for winning.
Contest Rules
All entries must be postmarked by September 3, 2010.
No Professionals. This contest is ONLY open to amateur photographers. We define a professional as anyone who profits from their photography in any way other than photo contests.
Number of entries per person: no more than 5 (five) allowed.
There will be two categories by age: a youth category 15 years old and under; and an adult category 16 years old and older.
Each image must be the work of the person submitting the entry.
Please clearly mark the back of your entry with your name and address.
Winners will be announced at the Whooping Crane & Wildlife Festival on Saturday, September 18, 2010. Prizes will be an engraved plaque along with a framed 8 x 10 of each category's winning entry.
Submissions may be taken with digital or film cameras, but will need to be submitted as prints. No online digital entries.
All photos are to be black & white or color, 3x5 or 4x6 in size.
Entries will not be returned.
Please send your entries to:
Photo Contest
W4593 Palace Road
Necedah, WI 54646
The Necedah Lions Club and the Necedah Wisconsin Lions Charities (a 501 (c) (3) organization) are part of an international network of 1.3 million men and women in 200 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world.
Known for working to end preventable blindness, the Necedah Lions Club participates in a vast variety of community projects. These projects range from (but not limited to) to help those who are sight impaired and / or blind, to help those who are hearing impaired or deaf, to improve our communities by raising and donating funds to local organizations, schools, and other areas where help is needed, by cleaning up local parks, and providing supplies to victims of natural disasters.
Here is a brief list of our community service:
- Assiting young people with disabilities at Camp Rosholt, Wisconsin
- Collecting and distributing home health care equipement such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, and crutches to low income families not only in their area, but throughout the nation and in Mexico.
- Building wheelchair ramps
- Cell phone collection*
- Eyeglass recycling*
- Children vision screening
- Youth hearing screening
- Community Diabetes
- Environmental Awareness (Whooping Crane & Wildlife Festival)
* Help out our environment by donating your used cell phones. Recycling cell phones is a way of keeping toxic materials out of the environment. At the same time, your cell phone can raise funds for organizations to help needy causes. If you have an unused cell phone that you would like to donate, just drop it off at the Information Booth at the Whooping Crane and Wildlife Festival. We will see that it is properly recycled and if we receive compensation we will see that the money goes toward our projects of sight and hearing conservation.
How to Join
We invite all those who are interested to contact Larry Wargowsky, Membership Chair, at (608) 565-6149 to tell you about our organization. We meet the first and third Thursdays of each month at the Memorial Vets Hall in Necedah.
You can also visit the Necedah Lions booth at the festival to learn more about our organization and club.
Why should I become a Lion?
Lions club members are men and women who strive to make a difference in their local community as well as communities worldwide. Their volunteer efforts go beyond the support of vision care, to addressing unmet health, education, and community service needs locally and worldwide.
As a Lions club member, you can:
- Make a difference everyday in your community. Whether it is providing support locally or reaching out internationally, you will have an opportunity to serve.
- Be a part of worldwide organizations carrying out community and humanitarian projects. Members allow Lions clubs worldwide to carry out many community and humanitarian programs.
- Gain an understanding and have an impact on international humanitarian issues.
- Develop relationships with both local and international community and business leaders.
More Background On Whooping-Crane-Festival.com
Whooping-Crane-Festival.com served for many years as the digital home of the Whooping Crane & Wildlife Festival, a community-centered environmental event held annually in Necedah, Wisconsin. More than a simple event website, it functioned as a public archive, educational platform, and organizational backbone for one of the Midwest’s most distinctive wildlife festivals. Through extensive programming, public outreach, and conservation education, the festival played a meaningful role in raising awareness about endangered species—particularly the iconic whooping crane—while strengthening regional identity and eco-tourism.
The site captured an era when small-town festivals still relied on independent websites to disseminate information, organize volunteers, and document achievements. Today, Whooping-Crane-Festival.com remains valuable not only for what it recorded but for what it represents: a grassroots conservation movement rooted in civic pride, environmental responsibility, and community collaboration.
Origins of the Festival
The Whooping Crane & Wildlife Festival was established in 2001, during a period of renewed national attention to endangered species recovery. The whooping crane—once reduced to fewer than two dozen individuals in the wild—had become a powerful symbol of both ecological loss and conservation success. Wisconsin, particularly the central region surrounding Necedah, had emerged as a focal point in reintroduction efforts, making it a natural home for a festival dedicated to public education and awareness.
From its earliest years, the festival was designed to be more than a celebration. It aimed to bring together conservation professionals, educators, families, outdoor enthusiasts, and local businesses in a shared mission: to promote understanding of wildlife preservation while strengthening the local economy through tourism and community engagement.
Organizational Leadership and Ownership
The festival was organized and operated by the Necedah Lions Club, working through Necedah Wisconsin Lions Charities, a registered nonprofit organization. The Lions Club provided the structure, funding oversight, volunteer coordination, and long-term continuity that allowed the festival to grow year after year.
The Lions’ involvement was significant for several reasons:
-
They ensured financial transparency through nonprofit governance.
-
They coordinated volunteers across multiple civic organizations.
-
They aligned festival proceeds with community and conservation goals.
-
They provided continuity across changing local leadership.
Rather than being a commercial enterprise, the festival was explicitly positioned as a community service initiative, with profits reinvested into conservation efforts, local assistance programs, and educational outreach.
Location and Environmental Setting
Necedah, Wisconsin
The festival took place in Necedah, a small town in central Wisconsin surrounded by wetlands, forests, and agricultural land. Its proximity to the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge made it uniquely suited to host a conservation-centered event.
The refuge is one of the largest wetland complexes in the state and serves as critical habitat for migratory birds, including whooping cranes. This geographic context gave the festival immediate credibility and relevance: attendees were not simply learning about conservation—they were standing within it.
Festival Grounds
The primary festival location was the Necedah Area Ball Field (NAB Field), which offered space for large tents, food service, children’s activities, exhibitions, and parking. Shuttle routes connected the festival grounds to nearby wildlife viewing areas and guided tours at the refuge, allowing visitors to experience the landscape firsthand.
Purpose and Mission
The festival’s mission can be summarized across four core goals:
1. Conservation Education
To educate the public about:
-
Whooping crane biology and behavior
-
Wetland ecosystems
-
Endangered species protection
-
Human impact on wildlife habitats
2. Community Engagement
To provide:
-
Family-friendly activities
-
Volunteer opportunities
-
Intergenerational learning
-
Civic pride through participation
3. Economic Development
To support:
-
Local businesses
-
Tourism during late summer
-
Community fundraising efforts
-
Regional visibility
4. Environmental Stewardship
To encourage:
-
Responsible outdoor recreation
-
Habitat preservation
-
Youth involvement in conservation
-
Long-term ecological awareness
The Whooping Crane: Symbol and Centerpiece
The whooping crane is the tallest bird in North America and among its rarest. Standing nearly five feet tall with a wingspan approaching seven feet, the species has long been a symbol of fragility and resilience.
By the mid-20th century, habitat destruction and hunting had pushed the species to the brink of extinction. Intensive conservation efforts—including captive breeding, habitat protection, and guided migration programs—helped stabilize the population, though it remains endangered today.
The festival used the crane not only as a subject of scientific discussion but as a cultural emblem:
-
A reminder of what can be lost
-
A symbol of successful conservation
-
A teaching tool for environmental responsibility
Festival Programming and Activities
Educational Programming
A core feature of the festival was its lineup of speakers and educators, including:
-
Wildlife biologists
-
Conservation researchers
-
Environmental educators
-
Nature photographers
-
Birding experts
Topics ranged from crane biology and migration patterns to broader issues such as wetland conservation, bird identification, and ecological restoration.
Guided Tours and Outdoor Experiences
Visitors could participate in:
-
Guided refuge tours
-
Birdwatching walks
-
Nature photography outings
-
Educational bus tours of local habitats
These experiences allowed attendees to observe wildlife in real environments rather than in abstract presentations.
Children’s and Family Activities
The festival placed strong emphasis on youth education. Children’s programming included:
-
Wildlife-themed craft stations
-
Birdhouse building
-
Animal tracking activities
-
Educational games
-
Live animal demonstrations
-
Scavenger hunts
By focusing on hands-on learning, the festival aimed to foster long-term interest in conservation among younger generations.
Community Events and Entertainment
In addition to educational programming, the festival included:
-
Live music and dance
-
Arts and crafts vendors
-
Food tents and pancake breakfasts
-
Local artisan booths
-
Raffles and prize drawings
These elements helped balance education with entertainment, making the festival accessible to families and visitors with varied interests.
The ATV Poker Run
One of the festival’s most distinctive features was its ATV Poker Run, which combined recreational riding with fundraising. Participants followed designated routes, collecting cards at stops along the way and competing for prizes.
The event:
-
Encouraged responsible recreation
-
Supported local businesses
-
Attracted regional visitors
-
Added a unique cultural element to the festival
Rules emphasized safety, respect for property, and environmental responsibility.
Economic and Cultural Impact
Over its active years, the festival generated meaningful economic activity for the region:
-
Increased hotel and campground usage
-
Higher restaurant and retail traffic
-
Seasonal tourism revenue
-
Exposure for local artisans and vendors
Culturally, it helped establish Necedah as:
-
A center for birding tourism
-
A community committed to conservation
-
A welcoming destination for families and educators
Public Reception and Community Support
The festival enjoyed strong community backing, with:
-
Local businesses serving as sponsors
-
Volunteers staffing events
-
Schools participating in educational programming
-
Conservation groups contributing expertise
Testimonials consistently highlighted the festival’s welcoming atmosphere, educational value, and sense of shared purpose.
The Role of the Website
Whooping-Crane-Festival.com served as:
-
The primary source of festival information
-
A planning and registration hub
-
An archive of past events
-
A public record of community involvement
Before social media platforms became dominant, the website fulfilled functions now divided among event pages, social feeds, and ticketing platforms.
Its preservation provides insight into how community festivals operated digitally in the early 2000s.
Legacy and Lasting Significance
While the original festival format is no longer active at the same scale, its impact endures through:
-
Continued conservation efforts in Wisconsin
-
Ongoing public interest in whooping cranes
-
Educational programs inspired by the festival
-
A lasting model for community-based environmental events
The festival demonstrated that meaningful conservation does not require massive institutions—only committed citizens, shared purpose, and thoughtful organization.
Whooping-Crane-Festival.com represents an important chapter in grassroots environmental history. It documented a time when conservation, education, and community celebration intersected in a uniquely effective way. Through its programming, outreach, and dedication to wildlife protection, the festival helped translate abstract environmental concerns into tangible local action.
More than a website, it was a reflection of how communities can rally around a cause, preserve natural heritage, and create lasting impact through collective effort.
