Saginaw Bay Waterfowl and Outdoor Festival

With family-friendly food trucks, a Smokey Bear bounce house, touch-a-truck and activities for kids, the festival aims to engage the next generation in Saginaw Bay’s conservation heritage. Kids can build their own wood duck boxes, give duck calling a try and learn about survival and outdoor skills. Saturday, Aug. 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 31st annual Saginaw Bay Waterfowl & Outdoor Festival is sponsored by Ducks Unlimited, Frank’s Great Outdoors, Friends of Bay City State Park, GK World Championship Calls, Jay’s Sporting Goods, Michigan Duck Hunters Association, Northwoods Wholesale Outlet, SC Johnson and Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort. New this year, eventgoers can participate in free clinics on nature photography, hiking in Michigan, hunting turkeys and elk, hunting with dogs and duck calling. A packed vendor row will feature over 50 vendors offering outdoor and hunting gear and opportunities to engage in conservation. Visitors can experience waterfowl hunting traditions such as dog retrievals, duck species identification, and duck and goose calling competitions — including the Michigan state qualifier for the world championship in Stuttgart, Arkansas. Hunter education field day New hunters will have an opportunity to complete a hunter education field day during the festival Sunday, Aug. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Preregistration is required. To participate in this field day, hunters must complete an online, interactive or take-home study course in advance, and present their certificate of completion at the field day. Learn more about obtaining a hunter safety certificate at Michigan.gov/HunterSafety.