May 2, 2025 – The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) is proud to announce Night Owls, a special adults-only evening event on Saturday, May 10th from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the VINS Nature Center in Quechee, VT. This exclusive after-hours event comes on the heels of VINS’ highly successful Owl Festival held on April 26th, which welcomed over 1,400 visitors to the Nature Center.
Building on the overwhelming community response to the annual Owl Festival, “Night Owls” offers adults a unique opportunity to explore the fascinating world of raptors in a more intimate setting. The event features a special live raptor program, a series of Ted-style talks with VINS educators to take a deep dive into topics such as raptor anatomy, courtship and mating, and conservation history. The entire VINS campus will be open, including allowing visitors to experience the Forest Canopy Walk in the evening light. The event will wrap up with some friendly competition in a VINS inspired game of trivia for those who wish to join.
“After seeing such enthusiasm at our Owl Festival, we wanted to create a special experience just for adults,” said Sarah Strew, Director of Nature Camps & Adult Education at VINS. “Night Owls provides a perfect blend of education, exploration, and entertainment in a relaxed evening atmosphere.”
In an exciting culinary collaboration, VINS has partnered with the beloved Trail Break restaurant to provide delicious food offerings throughout the event. Attendees can enjoy Trail Break’s renowned local cuisine while taking in the natural beauty of the VINS campus as dusk settles over the forest. Trail Break will open to the public for the summer season the following week, so this gives visitors an exclusive opportunity to sample some favorite Trail Break dinner items before the restaurant opens.
Event highlights include:
- Exclusive raptor demonstrations with VINS’ expert naturalists
- Special food offerings from Trail Break restaurant
- Adult beverages available for purchase
- Interactive learning sessions focused on owl ecology and conservation
- Special access to the VINS raptor enclosures and Forest Canopy Walk at dusk
Tickets for this adults-only event are $32 for VINS members and $37 for the general public. This ticket includes a meal provided by Trail Break. To include a drink with your meal, tickets are $40 for VINS members, $45 for the general public. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Tickets can be purchased online at vinsweb.org/event/vins-night-owls or by calling (802) 359-5000.