Crane and Sheep and Community

This weekend, the Town of Faro will be hosting our ninth annual Crane and Sheep Festival and I sure hope you are coming!  The weekend is full of fantastic events that you won't want to miss.  It is the perfect opportunity for visitors to see how the community of Faro really shines.

What makes our community shine?  Volunteers!  I find that around here, the people who bitch and complain the most about town and people are the self-centered ones that never even bother to attend events, much less volunteer to help at them.  Luckily, Faro is filled with amazing volunteers always ready to help out.  A small army of volunteers will be working hard all weekend to make sure your Faro experience is a great one!

So what is the schedule for the weekend?  Check it out:
Friday May 11th, 2012
5:00 – 9:00pm – Chili Dinner
Let’s kick off the 9th Annual Crane & Sheep Festival with a chili dinner at the Interpretive Centre. All are welcome! Chili Dinner provided by FARA. Musical performance by DENA ZAGI from Ross River.
Location: Campbell Region Interpretive Centre (CRIC)

6:00 - 9:00pm - Faro Kettle Café Open
Come out and support the Faro Youth’s fourth year of serving up the Best Coffee in Town!
Location: Recreation Centre Concession Area

8:00 - 10:00pm - Movie Night
Join us in the gym for a film to get ready for the nature-filled weekend ahead. “From the makers of “Planet Earth” comes “Life—Birds” - narrated by Richard Attenborough.”
For children, we have supervised craft activities in the Youth Lounge.
Location: Recreation Centre

Saturday May 12th, 2012
World Migratory Bird Day

8:00 - 10:00am - Breakfast
Enjoy a fundraising breakfast organized by Girls Night Out, the 2012 Grads, and the Kettle Cafe before a busy day of nature-watching.
Location: Recreation Centre Concession Area

8:00am - 3:00pm - Faro Kettle Café and Concession
The hottest spot in town to enjoy fresh brewed coffee and baked goods before heading out for wildlife viewing. GNO are running a concession throughout the day so you can refuel before heading out again.
Location: Recreation Centre Concession Area

9:30 - 11:30am - Walk to the Falls—Bruce Bennett
Learn about plants on this guided hike to Van Gorder Falls.
Caution: Steep Sections.
Location: CRIC

10:30 - 11:00am – Motion at the Mineral Lick – Matt Clarke
Learn about the motion-sensor cameras that have been gathering information at the mineral lick for over two years.
Location: CRIC

11:00 - 11:30am – Sheep Work – Ryan Drummond
An overview of the health of our Fannin Sheep, and the work that biologists have been conducting behind Faro.
Location: CRIC

11:30 - 2:30 - Local Art Demonstrations/Workshops
11:30 - Lucy Moreira - Moose-poop paper-making demo
12:30 - Peter Kazda - woodcarving workshop ($10/person)
Location - Campbell Region Interpretive Centre (CRIC)

Release of a Rehabilitated Crane
In 2011, a crane landed at Lynx Track Farm and didn’t follow the others. After overwintering at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, the crane is scheduled to be released during the Crane & Sheep Festival – location and time to be determined by YWP personnel. (See posters around town)

TOURS & TALKS Crane & Sheep Viewing
View cranes flying overhead and spot Faro’s unique Fannin sheep on the mountain slopes. Wildlife experts will be available to answer all your questions.
Location: Mt. Mye Sheep Centre (Blind Creek Road)

TOURS to the Mineral lick 12:00, 1:30
CRANE TALKS at the Cabin between 11:00am - 4:00pm

Plein air painting demonstration from 2:00-4:30pm by Jackie Irvine

SHUTTLE SERVICE to Mt. Mye Sheep Centre
Meet at the Recreation Centre/DVG School Parking Lot. Departure and Return times to be posted at CRIC and Recreation Centre

5:00 – 8:00pm - Wild Meat BBQ & Potluck
Enjoy tasty wild game skewers and burgers—a Festival favourite—and listen to the bluegrass tunes of ONE WAY TRACK! Wild game donated by local outfitters. Vegetarian fare available for the non-carnivores among us. Bring a side or salad if you’re able!
Children’s activities during the BBQ led by the Grade 9 SASE students from Porter Creek
Location: CRIC (Deck)

7:00pm - Desserts & Coffee
Have a sweet treat before heading in to hear the keynote presentation. Coffee available from the Kettle Café, desserts provided by the Faro Bible Chapel
Location: Recreation Centre Concession Area

8:00 - 9:30pm - Keynote Presentation – Dave Mossop
Join Dave Mossop for a presentation looking at the relationship between the gyrfalcon and the ptarmigan—the top and bottom of the tundra food chain—and the troubling trends arising in the changing Northern environment.
Location: Recreation Centre Gymnasium

8:00 - 9:30pm - Children’s Environmental Activities
Environmental games and activities for children who might not be ready for the keynote presentation. Supervision will be present, and the games will be led by a coordinator from Yukon Environment.
Location: Recreation Centre Youth Lounge

Sunday May 13th, 2012
Happy Mother’s Day!

8:00am - 12:00pm - Faro Kettle Café
Location: Recreation Centre Concession Area

9:00 - 11:00am - Mother’s Day Brunch at the Studio Hotel
Location: Faro Studio Hotel

10:00 – 11:00am – Birding Walk at the Lagoon
Join Mary Whitley of the Yukon Birding Club for her popular birding walk at the Lagoons.
Location: Gather at the Recreation Centre

10:00am - 1:00pm - Seeing the Sloughs - Cost $5/person
Hike with local naturalist guide Yasmine Djabri to observe wildlife. Hike is approximately two hours. Fresh Coffee and Snacks will be served at Lynx Track Farm to all participants.
Registration at Mt. Mye Sheep Centre: 9:30 - 10:00am
Please wear appropriate foot and outer wear.

1:30 - 4:00pm - Walk About Faro for Breast Cancer
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC/Yukon Region Mother’s Day Walk for Mom. All proceeds will be donated to CBCF. Pledge forms available at Town office, CRIC, Recreation Centre or download it online.
Location: Register and Start at the CRIC - 3Km.