VERNAL — One of the best regions in the country to see wildlife and run scenic river canyons is now home to an exciting new event designed to help the public have fun learning about, recreating in and celebrating these resources. The Utah's Wildlife and Rivers Festival (UWRF) opens June 10–13 for the first time in northeastern Utah. The festival will be held along the Flaming Gorge-Uintas National Scenic Byway and in the cities of Vernal, Manila and Dutch John.

Families, novice and experienced wildlife observers, anglers and river runners will find something unique and exciting at the festival. More than 50 activities are planned during the three days the festival runs. Most are free and are open to all ages and abilities.

Registration for the UWRF Plein Aire Art Competition and the Uinta Mountain Digital Shootout begins on Thursday, June 10. The majority of the activities start on Friday, June 11.

Daytime activities (Friday afternoon, all day Saturday and Sunday morning) offer a wide range of events for kids and adults including: birding and bighorn sheep tours, art and digital photography contests, a kids animal tracks and rock-art program, Intertribal Indian culture-education and powwow, sidewalk art, rock-art tours, live endangered fish and hawks, hiking and river running trips, a rock wall, displays of historic and modern river craft and the Green River food chain program, to presentations on river running history by well known Utah historian Roy Webb, a visual tour and protection of "Utah's Most Outstanding Rivers" by Merritt Frey and the history of "Saving Echo Park" dam by Andrew Gilliford.

The UWRF start coincides with the grand opening of the completely new Utah Fieldhouse of Natural History State Park and its famous dinosaur exhibits. After-hours tours of the new facility will be offered.

Numerous kids and adult activities will be offered at the main site in Vernal including: educational and hands-on displays set up by federal, state and local agencies and organizations, including Dinosaur National Monument, Ashley National Forest, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Utah State Parks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Daggett, Uintah and Duchesne counties, Uintah Recreation District, Utah Rivers Council, Hawkwatch International, and local fishing and rafting outfitters. Join us for the fun as well as information on river running and wildlife observation opportunities in the area.

Feeling competitive? Try your hand at the Festival's Dutch-oven Cook-off, Plein Aire Art Competition, Uinta Mountain Digital Shootout, Duck Derby or the Duct-tape Sculpture Contest. Prizes for these events include Green River and Grand Canyon river trips, cash prizes up to $1,000, inflatable whitewater kayaks and BMX bikes.

The Saliva Sisters highlight the evening entertainment. On Friday, plan to have dinner, hosted by the Rotary Club, and then attend their concert. Saturday night offers a variety of activities, including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet in Vernal, an entertainment (dinner/dance etc.) night in Manila Park and River Tales (historical stories and tall tales) around a campfire at Split Mountain. A talent stage will also provide music and entertainment at the main site on Friday and Saturday afternoon and evening.

Sunday starts with numerous outdoor activities at the main site and surrounding areas. At 10 a.m., the Duck Derby, or Duck Race, will take center stage as organizers race toy ducks down the Kids Canal in Vernal. The festival wraps up with an awards reception for the best art and digital photography on Sunday afternoon.

For more information and a schedule of events, see the Utah's Wildlife and Rivers Festival Web site, http://www.utah-wildlife-festival.com or contact the Dinosaurland Travel Board at (800) 477-5558, www.dinoland.com or the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

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