The Department of Natural Resources will host the 14th annual Saginaw Bay Waterfowl Festival Aug. 1-2 at Bay City State Recreation Area. Festival activities begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, and run through 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2.

Festival activities focus on the ducks and geese, which depend upon the wetlands of the Saginaw Bay Watershed for staging, nesting, and breeding habitat. Visitors will be able to participate in a wide range of activities and programs, which will help them become more aware of Michigan's waterfowl resources, the sport of waterfowl hunting and the conservation programs, which need volunteers to succeed. The event is co-sponsored by the Michigan Duck Hunters Association, the Friends of Bay City State Recreation Area, and the Frank N. Andersen Foundation. Last year more than 9,000 visitors attended this popular event.

The festival's main events include the Michigan Championship Duck Calling Contest at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2; the Michigan Goose Calling Competition at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2; and the 2010 Michigan Waterfowl Stamp Competition. The calling competitions include Master and Novice divisions. There will also be Junior Duck Calling Competition on Saturday and a Junior Goose Calling Contest on Sunday for youth, 17 and under. The festival will also host a Team Duck Calling Contest, designed for teams of two hunters, using working field calls, on Saturday. Youth and Adult Calling Classes will also be offered to improve your calling skills.

The event features more than 100 exhibitors in the Duck Hunter and Outdoor Recreation Expo, providing waterfowl enthusiasts with hunting, archery, camping, boating, wildlife watching and habitat enhancement products and wares. The festival includes a special Wildlife Art and Craft Show with fine art originals, prints, photos, carvings and crafts all inspired by nature. Exhibitors interested in participating should contact the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center at (989) 667-0717. Visitors will be able to enjoy special exhibits by featured artists, DNR Wildlife and Law Divisions, Shiawassee National Wildlife Area, Ducks Unlimited and many others.

Bring your retriever to participate in the Dog Fun Hunt Trial. Learn tips from trainers on dog handling or find a new hunting buddy in "Puppy Alley." Other events include a Youth/Adult Canoe Race, Live Animal Wildlife Conservation programs, Waterfowl ID Trail, Decorative Decoy Carving Contest and Waterfowl Photography Contest (Professional, Amateur and Junior Divisions) and special displays by featured wildlife artist Lorna Poulos, featured photographer Vel Kienitza, a featured taxidermist Frank Newmeyer, featured carver Joy Yax inside the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center.

The festival also features many fun activities designed to offer an opportunity for adults to mentor young hunters. One such activity, the "Quack-Athalon" is a unique contest of skill and timing for a three-person team (one adult, two youth) in three competitive events: canoeing, air rifle marksmanship and duck identification.

"Our event is known for being unique from other outdoor shows because of the wide array of opportunities, activities and programs it provides families to enjoy. I hear over and over again from visitors that there is something fun for everyone in their family, hunters and non-hunters, young and old," said DNR Park Interpreter Valerie Blaschka.

Admission to all festival events is free; however, all motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a 2009 Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the entrance. Cost is $24 for resident annual and $6 for resident daily. A nonresident annual is $29 and a nonresident daily is $8.

For more information about this event, the Bay City State Recreation Area, accessibility or park amenities, contact the park at (989) 684-3020 (TTY/TDD 711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired), or visit www.michigan.gov/baycity.

Camping reservations can be made online at www.midnrreservations.com, or by calling the DNR central reservation system toll-free at 800-447-2757.

For advance registration information, a complete schedule of festival activities or more information on the event, please stop by or call the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center, located within Bay City State Recreation Area, 3582 State Park Dr., Bay City, (989) 667-0717. Advanced registrations and applications are available at the Michigan Duck Hunters Association's Web site at www.midha.org.

Join the DNR in celebrating the 90th anniversary of Michigan State Parks (1919-2009) this year. Events are being posted at www.michigan.gov/dnrgogetoutdoors.