KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
In the darkness of December, spring may seem a long way off. But the return of spring, and the whales that come with it, are forefront on the minds of the Whale Fest Kodiak volunteers.
One of the coordinators of the festival is Cheryl Nugent, who’s been involved in the event since1998. She talked about Whale Fest Kodiak and about the festival planning meeting that takes place tonight.
— (Whalefest 1 "But we’re inviting … year’s whalefest.")
Whale Fest Kodiak is a 10-day long celebration of the return of Eastern Pacific Gray Whales to Alaska waters. Nearly all of these whales pass by Kodiak Island on their journey north.
— (Whalefest 2 "Every year it… all connected.")
Nugent said that the organizers are eager to hear ideas from the community and to share the ideas the planners have come up with so far.
— (Whalefest 3 "Well, we’ve got ….where we live.")
She said that an art show and contest will be open for all children and will offer kids a chance to see their work displayed around town. Nugent also encourages adult artists to start thinking about marine life art to display and possibly sell during the celebration. Some of the proceeds from the sale of the art will return to the festival fund. She also said that the planning committee is looking for a volunteer to run the art show.
Whale Fest 2010 will mark the festival’s 14th year. This year’s event takes place April 22nd through May 5th.
Nugent says she finds working on Whale Fest Kodiak well worth the time invested.
— (Whalefest 4 "Well, we live … and for us.")
Tonight’s Whale Fest planning meeting takes place at 5:30 p.m. in the biology lab at Kodiak College.
