May 7, 2006
12th Annual Payson Wildlife Fair
Green Valley Park will undergo an amazing transformation on Saturday, May 13, when its sprawling grassy expanses turn into a carnival full of wildlife and outdoor activities. The public is invited to attend the free 12th Annual Payson Wildlife Fair. Organizers have been working hard to make this year’s event the best one yet.
The fair runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 13 at Green Valley Park in Payson.
“This is a great way for the family to spend a Saturday,” says Mary Gilbert of the USDA Forest Service. “Parents and kids can fish, play games and get a close-up look at lots of amazing animals, including raptors. The birds are magnificent.”
In addition to birds of prey, other live animals on display will include rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, prairie dogs and
alligators. Fair visitors can also test their skills at one of the casting booths or the virtual fishing galleries, and they can visit booths from a variety of conservation groups, including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Arizona State Parks and the Phoenix Herpetological Society.
Green Valley Lake will receive nearly double its normal stocking of trout in preparation for this event. No fishing license is required for fair attendees, and equipment and bait can be borrowed from the free fishing booth at the fair.
The fair is a cooperative effort between the Arizona Game and Fish Department, USDA Forest Service, Mogollon Sporting Association, and Payson Parks and Recreation Department.