Nature Festival
Oxbow Meadows Presents
Nature Festival
April 11-12th, 2025
Get ready for a weekend of outdoor adventure, wildlife encounters, and hands-on nature experiences! Nature Fest is back and bigger than ever—now a two-day celebration of the natural world!
Friday Night Events:
Starry Skies & Stargazing (FREE)
April 11, 2025 | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Kick off Nature Fest with an evening under the stars! In partnership with Coca-Cola Space Science Center, we'll explore the night sky through telescopes, learning about constellations, planets, and deep-space wonders.
Saturday Events:
Early Bird Adventure (FREE, Limited Tickets, Registration Required)
April 12, 2025 | 7:30-9:30 AM
Meet in the Oxbow Meadows Parking Lot
Rise and shine for a guided birdwatching walk! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced birder, join us to spot local and migrating birds before the festival begins. Space is limited—reserve your spot early!
Hike will be lead by a master birder, who will help you fill your bird list or get you started with bird watching. Open to all ages.
Community Clean-Up with Chattahoochee River Conservancy
April 12, 2025 | 8:00-10:00 AM
Meet in the Oxbow Meadows Parking Lot
Join us for a morning of giving back to nature! Help clean up the beautiful trails of Oxbow Meadows—part of the Chattahoochee River floodplain. After every major flood event, trash and debris are carried into our natural spaces, impacting wildlife and the health of the ecosystem. Volunteers like YOU make a lasting impact by helping us keep the trails clean, safe, and welcoming for all.
📝 Waivers will be provided on-site for all participants.
💪 Bring your energy—we’ll provide the supplies!
Let’s work together to protect our river, trails, and community. This is a great opportunity for students, families, and civic groups!
Nature Fest Main Event
Saturday April 12, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Tickets: $8 Adults | $5 Kids | Ages 3 & Under Free
Join us for a fun-filled festival with scheduled programs and all-day activities!
Scheduled Programs:
- 10:15 AM – Guided Nature Hike with Oxbow staff
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM – Reptile Show on Stage! Meet fascinating scaly creatures up close
- 12:15 PM – Bee Yard Presentation – Learn about pollinators and beekeeping
All Day Activities:
- Nature crafting, Wildnerness Scavenger Hunt, Pollinator Exploration Table, Terrific-Trees Table, Wildlife Life Stations, Dip Nets and Tadpoles, Insect Collecting and Investigations, Fish Printing, Outdoor Games, Bubbles, Nature Play, and more!
Saturday Afternoon Workshops ($10 Each, Includes Materials)
Stick around after the main event to dive deeper into nature!
Native Plant Gardening ($10, Limited Tickets, Registration Required)
April 12, 2025 | 1:30-2:30 PM
Learn how to attract pollinators and grow native plants in your own yard. All participants receive a native plant to take home!
Saturday Afternoon Workshops ($10 Each, Includes Materials)
Stick around after the main event to dive deeper into nature!
Papermaking with Nature ($10, Limited Tickets, Registration Required)
April 12, 2025 | 2:45-3:45 PM
Discover the art of handmade paper using natural materials. A creative and sustainable way to craft! Use items such as snake sheds, dried flowers, or other found items in nature.
Nature Fest Vendors
Columbus Water Works
Coca Cola Space Science Center
Columbus State University
Southeastern Reptile Rescue
Chattahoochee Valley BeeKeepers Association
Columbus Audubon Society
Native Plant Coalition
Nature Now Film Festival
Chattahoochee Riverkeepers
Savage Hart
Special thanks to our amazing community vendors!
Interested in becoming a vendor? Send us an email at oxbowmeadows@columbusstate.edu to find out more!