For the past five years the Friends of the Saint Catherine Creek Refuge have hosted the Miss-Lou Wildlife Expo at the Natchez Convention Center, but to due to parking issues, the event has a new venue and a new theme.

This year the Wild Things Environmental Education Festival will be Saturday. The festival will be at Vidalia River Park and will replace the Miss-Lou Outdoor Expo.

The free festival will have many activities, including helicopter and pony rides, inflatable jumps, several live demonstrations and face painting.

The event will also include a youth archery tournament and a youth calling contest. Jack Cupit, president of Friends of the St. Catherine Creek Refuge, said five-time long bow champion Bob Mills will be on hand at the tournament.

Three-time national turkey calling champion Troy Wheat will be on hand for the turkey and duck calling contests.

Cupit said the event will feature an auction at 2 p.m. to help raise money for the construction of an environmental education center on the refuge. He said the auction will have firearms, tools gift certificates, furniture, paintings and several other items.

“Our aim is for school children in the surrounding areas to be able to come to the refuge and meet, and to see what’s going on at the federal refuge,” he said. “Maybe they might develop interests in the conservation field or maybe direct a child in the right direction and make them a productive citizen.”

Cupit said the blue prints for the building have been drawn up and the building will cost about $500,000. He said the non-profit organization has approximately $100,000 in the bank to go towards the construction of the building. Cupit said a sponsorship program is also available for people who wish to donate.

Right now the Friends of the St. Catherine Creek Refuge have approximately 35 members, but Cupit said they are always accepting new members.

“Every parent and grandparent should be in this program, especially if they care about their children and grandchildren’s future,” he said. “That is what we are all about.”