By VAIL STEWART RUMLEY
Washington Daily News

Before the Christmas decorations are put away, the phone starts ringing — parents calling to register their children early for a popular event at the North Carolina Estuarium. The chance for children to paint their own decoy models is a sellout every year, one that goes hand in hand with the East Carolina Wildlife Arts Festival.
Two classes of 30 are held the Saturday of the festival and, according to Estuarium Environmental Educator Linda Boyer, it’s a major local draw.
“(The kids) come back year after year and when they age out, they come back to help teach — they’re so cute,” Boyer said.
Each participant receives a small, cast-resin decoy, paints and brushes and the assistance of Boyer, Estuarium volunteers and returning helpers, as they reproduce the
coloring of each year’s chosen species with paint.
“We choose a different bird every year,” explained Boyer. “We did swans last year and they were easy. They were all white.”
This year’s species — the Canada Goose — will present more of an artistic challenge, with its black head and neck, white patches and brownish-gray body, though it might not be quite fanciful enough for those who prefer pink- or rainbow-feathered birds, Boyer laughed.
Regardless of color preference, Boyer said the kids really enjoy the process, along with the parents: “The parents have just as much fun as the kids do — they do — they get right in there with them,” Boyer said.
That enjoyment comes to a finale, when the finished model decoys are displayed for members of the East Carolina Wildfowl Guild and each artist is awarded a blue ribbon for their effort.
Because the model decoy painting class gets filled up so early (there’s a waiting list), the Estuarium has another class later in the day. From 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sherrie Jager, North Carolina Junior Duck Stamp Coordinator, will instruct children kindergarten through 12th-graders, on the basics of the Duck Stamp program. Sketching supplies and art instruction are included. There is no fee for the program. Calls reservations at 252-948-0000.

East Carolina Wildlife Arts Festival

Friday, Feb. 8

DockDogs Venue – Kugler Field, corner of Hudnell and Third streets.

9 a.m. – Registration/Practice
10 a.m. – Big Air Wave Competition #1
Noon – Big Air Wave Competition #2
2 p.m. – Big Air Wave Competition #3
4 p.m. – Big Air Wave Competition #4

Saturday, Feb. 9

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Free Shuttles Provided

Main Festival Venue – Washington Civic Center, 110 N. Gladden St.

Diverse groups of exhibitors offering hand crafted items.

Carving Competition Venue – Peterson Building, 310 W. Main St.

10 a.m. Carving competition Judging Begins
10 a.m. Decorative life size
11 a.m. Charles Moore
11:30 a.m. Decorative miniatures
11:30 a.m. Shorebirds
Noon Decorative heads
1 p.m. River pairs (waterfront)
1 p.m. Decorative floating
2:30 p.m. Pamlico gunning

DockDogs Venue – Kugler Field, corner of Hudnell and Third streets.

8 a.m. – Onsite Registration / Practice  
9 a.m. – Big Air Wave Competition #5
10:30 a.m. – Big Air Wave Competition #6
Noon – Big Air Wave Competition #7
2 p.m. – Big Air Wave Competition #8
4:30 p.m. – Extreme Vertical Competition

Children Activities Venue – NC Estuarium, 223 E. Water St.

Children’s painting workshops: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Call 252-948-0000 to register.
The Estuarium will be open to children and youth free of charge, adults at half price of $2 each.

Auction Venue – Washington Yacht & Country Club, 7155 River Road.

Auction & Seafood Buffet at Washington Yacht & Country Club, dinner reservations required (1-800-999-3857 ext. 3). Dinner begins at 6 p.m.  Live auction begins at 7 pm.  Auction is open to the public.

Sunday, Feb. 9

9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Free Shuttles Provided

Main Festival Venue – Washington Civic Center, 110 N. Gladden St.

Diverse group of exhibitors offering hand crafted items.

DockDogs Venue – Kugler Field, corner of Hudnell and Third streets.

Onsite registration/practice – 8 a.m.
9 a.m. Speed Retrieve Competition
10 a.m. Big Air Wave Competition #9
12:30 p.m. Big Air Wave Competition #10
3 p.m. Speed Retrieve Finals
3:30 p.m Big. Air Finals (Amateur, Semi-Pro,Pro)

Carving Competition Venue – Peterson Building, 310 W. Main St.

11 a.m. Judging for N.C. Decoy Carving Championship Division
11:30 a.m. Judging for the Contemporary Antique Division
Noon. Judging for Tri-County Canvas Gunning Decoy Division
1:30 p.m. Judging for the O’Neal’s Drug Store Carolina Gunning Decoy Division
2:30 p.m. Judging for T.R.A.D.E. Carving Division
3:30 p.m. Carving Competition Awards Ceremony