Hopkinsville’s Jeffers Bend Environmental Center welcomed more than 300 visitors on Saturday, August 23, for the third annual Hummingbird Festival.
The event, coordinated by the Jeffers Bend Steering Committee, brought together local organizations including the Pennyrile RC&D Area Council, the Little River Audubon Society, Christian County Master Gardeners, the Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority, and the City of Hopkinsville.
The festival highlighted the importance of hummingbirds and other pollinators through a variety of educational and family-friendly activities. Attendees had the opportunity to watch professional bird banding, learn Native American folklore about hummingbirds, and explore presentations on the ecological role of pollinators in the botanical garden.
Other sessions covered topics such as building bird feeders, supporting winter bird populations, and understanding the value of insects in natural ecosystems.
Young participants engaged in a poster contest centered on the value of birds, while festival-goers of all ages enjoyed interactive displays and activities designed to foster appreciation for wildlife.
The event was free to the public, supported in part by United Southern Bank and donations. A silent auction featuring more than 30 items also helped raise funds. The festival capped weeks of preparation, during which bird enthusiasts and volunteers worked to attract hummingbirds to the environmental center’s grounds.
Organizers say the growing turnout reflects increasing community interest in conservation, environmental education, and wildlife appreciation. The annual festival is expected to continue as a highlight of late summer activities in Christian County.
