The Wings Over Willapa Festival celebrates birds, nature, and art during a multi-day event held at the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge and other natural sites on Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula. The Festival has something for everyone who loves to explore in nature.

Events include expert-led bird walks and programs ranging from wildlife tracking to adventures at Leadbetter Point. Other highlights include a guided tour to Long Island to an old-growth cedar grove, Pelagic birding trip, hand building with clay to create your own bird bath, and a special Nature Play Day on Saturday for children and families.

Saturday's Keynote speaker features author Marina Richie. Join her for a headfirst dive into belted kingfishers over seven seasons on a home creek. Her photo-filled presentation threads natural history, memoir, and myth. She introduces the practice of deep birding leading to kinship with a wild neighborhood and personal transformation. By the water’s edge, the author healed from the loss of her naturalist father and tapped into her own powers. Halcyon Journey, In Search of the Belted Kingfisher earned the 2024 John Burroughs Award, awarded annually to the year’s most distinguished book of nature writing. It also earned a National Outdoor Book Award and a Foreword Indies Award.

The Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is hosting a raffle with themed baskets at the start of the event. Arrive early to enjoy Hors-d'œuveres, a complimentary beer or wine, and socialize with others before the presentation.

Registration and Visitor Information

We require a $10 general festival registration, nominal fees for some of the classes, and a $40 registration for the keynote speaker Marina Richie. All Nature Play Day activities are free. Registration page can be found here. Registration for the Wings Over Willapa events begins August 1, 2024 at 12:00 noon. 

 Festival event descriptions and Documents: 

• Detailed Friday Schedule and Events
  
  
• Detailed Saturday Schedule and Events
  
  
• Detailed Sunday Schedule and Events
  
  
• Schedule & Map (download)
  
  
• Event Program (download, print double-sided on short end)
  
  
• Professionally printed Event Programs are now available for pick-up at at the Refuge Headquarters Office, and will be at the Welcome Social on Friday night.