As Halloween continues to draw near, a few local nonprofits plan to incorporate the holiday spirit into their educational facilities this weekend. The South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary will host a Hallowings Monarch Migration Celebration Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A variety of activities such as guided walks and sandcastle lessons will be offered throughout the celebration. Additionally, the event will have face painting, crafts, a food truck, vendors, an art show and a plant sale. 1 of 2 Courtesy photo The SPI Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary is gearing up for its Hallowings Monarch Migration Celebration, which will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Courtesy photo Sea Turtle, Inc. patient Hurley Mac opens its mouth wide to get a taste of a squid tentacle ice block, which is part of the facility’s animal enrichment feeding strategies. Sunday, the nonprofit will feed Halloween-themed enrichments to patients during its Trick or Treat with the Turtles event. According to SPI Birding Center representatives, the fall season is a fantastic time to view the migration of monarch butterflies. “South Padre Island is an important resting area for thousands of fall monarchs migrating on the coastal flyway to wintering grounds in Mexico,” said SPI Birding and Nature Center Naturalist Educator Javier Gonzalez. “Join us as we greet their arrival and enjoy a day full of wonder, educational presentations, activities and more.” Halloween with the sea turtles Sunday, Sea Turtle, Inc. will host a Trick or Treat with the Turtles celebration from 1 to 3 p.m. Attendees will be given candy, snacks and prizes. Additionally, they will be able to witness Sea Turtle, Inc. personnel give Halloween-themed enrichments to their sea turtle patients. Attendees are encouraged to wear family friendly costumes, but they are not required. Social pets that are kept on a leash are able to visit the event. “This is our second year hosting a Halloween event at Sea Turtle, Inc. since the opening of our new education center,” said Sea Turtle, Inc. Marketing and Public Relations Manager Sanjuana Zavala. “This family-friendly event is one of many we host year-round and we hope to continue doing these every year.” ahernandez@yahoo.com SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Hallowings Festival and Monarch Migration Celebration WHEN — Saturday, Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND GUIDED BIRD WALK — 9 a.m. SANDCASTLE LESSONS AND BUTTERFLY TALK — 10 a.m. PLANTING NATIVE HABITAT — 11a.m. TRASHION SHOW — 11:30 a.m. LIVE MUSIC WITH LESLIE — Noon BUTTERFLY WALK — 1 p.m. BUTTERFLY COSTUME CONTEST — 2 p.m. LIVE REPTILE EXPERIENCE — 2:30 p.m. WHERE — South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary, 6801 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island ADMISSION — $5 WEBSITE — spibirding.com Trick or Treat with the Turtles WHEN — Sunday, Oct. 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. WHERE — Sea Turtle, Inc., 6617 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island ADMISSION — Adults $6, ages 62 and older, military $5 and $4 for children ages five through 17.
Alana Hernandez
