It all started when a very energetic bird named Alice met the very caring Karla Bloem. Alice was a three-week-old great horned owl living in Raptor Rehabilitation Center in Antigo. She was blown out of her nest and broke her left wing at the joint which caused her to permanently damage her nerves. Meanwhile, Karla was in search of a good education bird and an injured bird to feature at the Houston Nature Center. She eventually met Marge Gibson who at the time was in charge of the Raptor; she gave Alice to Bloem. When the two ran into each other at the center it was almost like fate had ordained it.
Alice was a big hit at the center, she has a big personality and slowly became part of not only Karla’s life but everyone at the nature center. So when Alice turned six, Karla started the Festival of Owls to celebrate her hatch day in March. Over the years the festival grew and gained traction from many owl enthusiasts and other bird watchers. Now people from all over the world try to take part in this day by sharing stories and organizing fairs and contests for high schoolers to educate them on the powerful nocturnal bird.
Though this particular festival just recently started getting popular, the owls have been significant in historical folklore in different parts of the world for many years. In a lot of countries in Africa and the Middle East, the bird predicts bad tidings, gloom, and even death, whilst in other parts like old Siberia, China, and Greenland the bird has been said to be a symbol of good luck and fortune.
Tanja's Little Corner of The World 