This year, the PlainsConversation Center and the Prairie Dog Collation, held a
Prairie Dog Day Party on February 2nd. (Prairie dog day (Groundhog
Day for the West)). It was a big success! Lots of people showed up, there
were lots of fun things to do, and it seemed to spread awareness about prairie
dogs! Most of the activities were for the younger crowd, but as
the parents were dragged around to see the cool activities,
it seemed as if they were learning a lot themselves.
That morning I got up a little early, and got in the car. My dad and I drove
for about 40 minutes. When we got there we both helped set
up displays about prairie dogs and the animals that depend on them.
At around nine, people started showing up, and then
the crowd kept pouring in. Most of the activities were targeted
at the younger audience. There were places where the little ones could
plant prairie plants that the prairie dogs eat, there was a pile
of coloring books teaching little kids about prairie dogs (though it
seemed as if the parents liked it more!), there was a place where
someone was helping kids make prairie-themed hats, and there was a person
dressed as a giant prairie dog going around and taking pictures with people.
There was even a scavenger hunt where you found prairie animals and poop and
stuff like that. It went a little slow:
great for the little ones but not so good for the grownups.
One of the things
that gathered the most people was the puppet show. The
little ones seemed to LOVE it and kept yelling out to the main character—a prairie dog—to watch out for predators. After
the puppet show, they brought out some prairie animals that you could
pet! They even brought some real prairie dogs! (Not for petting!)
Once the crowds started thinning out and help was not
needed as much, I went on one of the wagon rides down to a real prairie town (human
town not prairie dog town). All the people on the ride got to do real chores
from that time and meet people that work in the town (fake of course, though
the blacksmith was a real one.) We got to feed the chickens, feed and pet
the cows (really scratchy tongues!), and at the end of the tour we got to
go and have fresh baked cookies baked in an old wood stove from that
time. Unfortunately the cookies had butter in them and I recently went
dairy free, so I couldn’t have one.. After that, there was time for us to go
and explore ourselves before the wagon went back up to the main place. I went
and sat with the chickens. Once I got back to the center of things my dad was
tired and we left.
All in all I think the day was big success! Knowledge about
prairie dogs was spread, and lots of people had a great time! Though it might
not have had a direct effect on saving the tiny people hopefully the
young people there will tell their friends about prairie dogs, then those friends
will tell their parents and the prairie dog knowledge will
spread around the world!
PRAIRIE DOGS RULE!
Cymbre/Arwen smith
