Sport of Kings Day
Saturday, September 3 / 10 AM – 5 PM
Included with admission to the VINS Nature Center

Lords and Ladies all are invited to celebrate the Sport of Kings—falconry! Experience the history, language, and traditions of this 3000-year-old practice of hunting alongside a trained raptor. Join us for our flighted raptor programs, practice your archery skills and settle in for a picnic lunch with local band, As The Crow Flies, playing nearby. You’ll even meet a modern-day falconer from New England Falconry. Costumes are encouraged!

All Day:

• Crafts Fit for a King: What is a lord without a crown? Take a seat and craft your very own crown or necklace inspired by nature.
• Medicinal Plants of the Meadow – Self Guided Signs: Wildflowers are not only beautiful – they’re useful, too! Learn about the ways plants were used throughout history with this self-guided tour through the meadow.

10 AM – 1 PM / Fairy Hunts / Neale Pavilion Overhang
Visit the Fairy Court to begin your quest. Follow the signs to find a hidden fairy friend and learn about the plants and animals that you encounter along the way.

10 AM – 1 PM / Meet the Artist: Jennifer MaHarry / Neale Pavilion (E)
Fine art photographer Jennifer MaHarry channels her love of wildlife into images that capture the spirit of each subject. Proceeds from the purchase of Jennifer’s photography will benefit VINS.

10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 3:30 PM / Live Trebuchet Demonstrations / Thetford Stone
Take part in a medieval siege and watch our 7-foot tall trebuchet in action.

11 AM – 11:30 AM / The Sport of Kings – Falconry / Hawkfly
Meet these most-renowned hunters from the sky in our program featuring birds of prey in flight!

11 AM – 2 PM – Meet a Falconer / Area beside Reptile Room
Learn about falconry as practiced in our modern age, and meet a licensed VT falconer and the birds of New England Falconry.

11 AM, 12 PM, 1 PM, 2 PM / Archery Demonstration
Try your hand at this vital skill of survival and defense with our Master Archers. Meet on the hour at Nature Store, limited 12 archery spots, first come first serve.

12 PM – 1 PM – Troubadour Hour / August Pavilion
Grab a table and have your lunch as local band, As The Crow Flies, provides musical entertainment.

1 PM – 1:30 PM – Owls in Myth and Legend / Hawkfly
Omens of death or creatures of wisdom? Join us as we explore the lore of owls.

2 PM – 2:30 PM – Scales and Serpents / Hawkfly
Come wonder at the scaly creatures that live around us, and learn about their habits.

3 PM – 3:30 PM – The Sport of Kings – Falconry / Hawkfly
Meet these most-renowned hunters from the sky in our program featuring birds of prey in flight!

4:30 PM – 4:45 PM – Hawk on the Walk / Forest Canopy Walk
Join a VINS educator and our Harris’ Hawk, Chesterland, as he flies among the trees of the Forest Canopy Walk.

For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.