SWAN QUARTER — Hyde residents spent some time honoring their roots last Saturday as part of the annual Swan Days Festival.

The festival is a two-fold celebration: on the one hand, it honors the history of Lake Mattamuskeet and the Lake Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, the land for which was purchased by the government in 1934; on the other hand, it honors the wildlife native to Hyde County, namely the return of the Alaskan tundra swans to the lake.

In the mid-20^th century, however, the focus was on the large number of Canadian geese that migrated to Lake Mattamuskeet and the subsequent hunting of them.

“Those who remember it describe the sky turning black with geese when the massive flock lifted off the lake and took flight,” a press release states. “For reasons unclear to the biologists and hunters, during the 1960s, the number of Canada Geese migrating to Lake Mattamuskeet dropped off drastically. It was assumed that the migrating flock had been compromised by lead poisoning from ingesting lead pellets from the lake bottom.”

The release continues: “There was also speculation that with the increase in grain production in the Delmarva Peninsula, many of the birds stopped short on their flight south for the winter. Whatever caused the decline, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service outlawed the shooting of Canada Geese on Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge in 1972.”

Saturday’s event featured several speakers: Lewis Forrest, who spoke about the lake’s history; Marco Gibbs, who spoke about Native American history in Hyde County; Mark Willard, who presented on plans for the Mattamuskeet Lodge’s future; and Morgan Harris, who headed up “Lunch with the Guides,” a panel discussion with former hunting guides.

EarthQuest also gave a presentation on predatory birds, which it shared at the festival and in area schools, and local photographers Matthew Molt and Allen Phelps hosted an early-morning workshop. Vendors were on hand selling goods to visitors.

“It was really cold that morning,” said Averi Simmons, executive director of the Greater Hyde County Chamber of Commerce. “I think that deterred some people from coming.”

Simmons said there was still a good turnout. In years past, the festival lasted for multiple days, but organizers decided to only host it for one day this year.

“Last year’s, it was actually multiple days — it was three days,” Simmons said. “It’s mostly educational. There were tram tours … that people made reservations on that gave you access to more restricted areas of the refuge.”

Simmons said organizers hope to grow the festival and recapture how it was in its heyday. More importantly, however, she said she hopes visitors were able to see the importance of Lake Mattamuskeet and the lodge and the importance of preserving it.

Simmons said she is grateful for all of the sponsors and volunteers who made the event happen.

“It was a big event, and there was a lot of planning that went into it,” Simmons said. “It’s a festival, but it’s a celebration, too.”