Grandfather Mountain’s annual Animal Birthday Party to be held June 10

LINVILLE, N.C. – Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, will throw its annual birthday bash for all resident animals on Wednesday, June 10 — and you’re invited! Included with park admission, the celebration will feature games, contests, crafts and surprises.
 
The park’s habitat staff is preparing a fun-filled afternoon for guests with programs to celebrate its furry and feathered inhabitants as they mark another trip around the sun. Millie the Bear, the mountain’s mascot, will also make special appearances throughout the day.
 
“We are especially excited for Animal Birthday Party this year, as our staff has put twists on some of the classic elements of the event,” said Christie Tipton, animal habitats curator for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “Celebrating our resident animals during one of the most beautiful times of the year is always well worth a visit to the mountain.”
 
As seen last year at a few special events, the Conservation Through Colors table is returning. This table offers a special opportunity to contribute to a larger conservation effort. During the celebration, animal paintings will be on sale for half price at the table. Animal paintings are unique prints created by the mountain’s resident animals. Paintings feature bear paws, otter paws, scale patterns and other designs that the animals paint. Habitat staff assists the animals in creating their one-of-a-kind paintings.
 
All proceeds from the animal painting sales at the Conservation Through Colors table will go to the Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that focuses on protecting and improving species numbers, diversity and habitats. Grandfather Mountain is within the bounds of one of the organization’s priority conservation areas, so this conservation cause is especially relevant. When guests purchase an animal painting, they may spin a prize wheel for a chance to win mountain-themed gifts.
 
Activities will kick off at 11 a.m. and continue until 3:30 p.m. The full schedule is below.
 
Animal Birthday Party Schedule:
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | A Walk in the Woods game — Learn about nature through an interactive game. (in front of the Wilson Center)
 
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Conservation Through Colors table — Half-price animal paintings will be sold, with proceeds supporting the Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy. (Classroom in the Clouds)
 
11 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. | Test Your Animal Knowledge Contest — contest drawing at 2:15 (Classroom in the Clouds)
 
11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Make a birthday card for the animals. (Classroom in the Clouds)
 
11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Games — Come play some fun animal games. (Classroom in the Clouds)
 
1 – 1:30 p.m. | Animal Encounter — Come meet a few of our resident animals, including snakes and a groundhog. (Classroom in the Clouds)
 
1 – 1:30 p.m. | Bear Painting Tour — Join our habitat staff to see an animal painting created live. This experience is $10 per person and can be purchased at the Conservation Through Colors table in Classroom in the Clouds. Guests will not be able to take a painting made on this tour home with them, but paintings will be sold at the Conservation Through Colors table.
 
1 – 2 p.m. | Birthday Critter Corner — Meet a few of our smaller animals. (Classroom in the Clouds)
 
1 – 2 p.m. | Free birthday cake (Classroom in the Clouds)
 
1:30 – 2 p.m. | Decorate Birthday Presents — Come help make birthday enrichments for the animals. (outside the Wilson Center)
 
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Animal Olympics game (in front of the Wilson Center)
 
2:15 p.m. | Contest Drawing — Winners will be announced at the Classroom in the Clouds. Contest winners get the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes to visit the animal they were knowledgeable about. Winners are allowed to take family members with them. Participants must be present to win.
 
2:45 p.m. | Animal Birthday Party Parade — Follow our staff to the elk, then otter, then cougar and then bear overlooks to watch the special birthday enrichments be given.
 
Those interested in treating the animals to birthday presents can do so by choosing a gift from the mountain’s animal enrichment wish list featuring appropriate toys and supplies. Donors can purchase an item online and have it delivered straight to Grandfather Mountain for the animals’ immediate enjoyment. To learn more about the habitat animals’ wish list, visit www.grandfather.com/animal-enrichment-wishlist.
 
New this year, guests who bring an item from the enrichment wish list to the Animal Birthday Party will receive a voucher for a free cookie from Mildred’s Grill.
 
Animal lovers can also contribute through the mountain’s Adopt-an-Animal Program. Honorary adopters receive a photo of their animal, certificate of adoption, informational sheet about their animal’s life and more. Adoptions can be made in-person at Grandfather or online at www.grandfather.com/adopt.
 
To learn more about this year’s Animal Birthday Party at Grandfather Mountain, visit www.grandfather.com/event/animal-birthday-party.
 
The nonprofit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world through education, exploration and example. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com.