Why: To celebrate the migration of spotted salamanders and learn more about them. Spotted salamanders spend nearly their entire lives underground living in forest burrows. They come out once a year to mate and lay their eggs in a vernal pool (a wetland pool that dries up in the summer). Spotted salamanders need habitat in a forest and in wetland pools. Spotted salamanders are harmless, cute and cool. At the salamander festival you will learn more about different kinds of salamanders from biologists at the festival. You can also learn about frogs, turtles, fish, birds and other animals!

At the festival, you can check out cool displays about ancient tracks and fossils, see native plants, see what lives in dirt under a microscope, make free crafts and have some chocolate strawberries, crackers and pretzels at the chocolate fountain. ($1.00 for a plate) You can see a photography contest with great photos of Shades Creek, which is the main creek in Homewood.

At 3:45, see a presentation about birds from the Oak Mountain Wildlife Center

4:00 is when we do a welcome from Friends of Shades Creek and the City of Homewood and give out awards

4:15 is when we tell the fun story about the salamander migration and 4:30 we start dancing and listening to the Herb Trotman Band play Bluegrass music There is lots more going on at the Salamander Festival and it is free to get in.