Sport of Kings Day
Saturday, September 2 / 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!

Schedule of Events:
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Meet a Falconer – Anastasia Mickiewicz from New England Falconry
Learn about falconry as practiced in our modern age, and meet a licensed VT falconer of New England Falconry.

10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Crafts Fit for a King
What is a lord without a crown? Take a seat and craft your very own crown inspired by nature.

10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 3:30pm
Live Trebuchet Demonstrations
Take part in a medieval siege and watch our 7-foot tall trebuchet in action.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm
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.

11:00 am – 11:30 am
The Sport of Kings – Falconry
Meet these most-renowned hunters from the sky in our program featuring birds of prey in flight!

11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 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.)

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Troubadour Hour
Grab a table and have your lunch as local band, As The Crow Flies, provides musical entertainment.

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Scales and Serpents
Come wonder at the scaly creatures that live around us, and learn about their habits.

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
The Sport of Kings – Falconry
Meet these most-renowned hunters from the sky in our program featuring birds of prey in flight!

3:50 pm
Hawk on the Walk
Join a VINS educator and our Harris’ Hawk as he flies among the trees of the Forest Canopy Walk.

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