Wild About Whoopers with FREE General Admission
Saturday, January 10 from 10 am – 5 pm
FREE General Admission
The Cook Museum is wild about whoopers! Enjoy complimentary Admission to the Museum’s Exhibits during this event and take part in special presentations and hands-on activities. Find out why whooping cranes are so amazing at the Cool Cranes Science on the Spot presentations. There will be a take-home craft, a photo station, and a Crane Dance Party, where you can learn how to dance like a crane. As you explore the Exhibits, collect a complete set of 6 Migratory Birds Collectible Cards, including an egret and a heron.
Local author, Phoebe Goodwin, will host a special story time where she will read her children’s book “The White Feather” at10:30 am & 11:30 am with a book signing to follow each reading. The book will be available for purchase in the Museum Store.
Learn about the joys of taking an easy approach to bird watching. Drawing inspiration from Joan Strassman’s “Slow Birding: The Art and Science of Enjoying Birds in Your Own Backyard”, Land Trust of North Alabama Educators, Tim Gels and Elizabeth Moats, will cover the basics of birding that you can do from your own home during the presentations at 11 am and 1 pm.
Become a nature sleuth and join Laura Grace Clark Art as she walks children through how easy it is to start a nature journal of their own. Using objects from the Museum and their own take-home journal packet, participants will practice how to observe and document the wonders of nature all around us. There will be two 30-minute sessions at Noon and 2 pm. Though primarily designed for children, all are welcome!
During the month of January, try a Cool Crane Smoothie, a version of Nature’s Table Cocolada Smoothie, with whipped cream, toasted coconut, and a strawberry wedge. Available for purchase for a limited time!
All Activities Sponsored by
This event is part of the community wide Festival of the Cranes.
Go here for a full listing of community events https://www.friendsofwheelernwr.org/foc-2026
See all Cook Museum events during 2026 Festival of the Cranes weekend.
Wild About Whoopers Schedule:
- “The White Feather” Story Time & Book Signing with Phoebe Goodwin: 10:30 am & 11:30 am
- Slow Birding Presentation with the Land Trust of North Alabama: 11 am & 1 pm
- Nature Journaling with Laura Grace Clark Art: Noon & 2 pm
- Cool Cranes Science on the Spot: 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, & 1:30 pm
- Hands-On Activities & Photo Station: 10 am – 4 pm
- The Whoopers At Wheeler Video: All Day
- Crane Dance Party: All Day
- Migratory Birds Collectible Cards: All Day
- Cool Crane Smoothie (available for purchase at Nature’s Table)
Early arrival is strongly recommended because Exhibits entry will be based on a timed-entry system with a limited number of entrants allowed at a time. The Museum opens at 9 am.