Wildlife festivity: festival draws crowd in Washington

Published 8:18 pm Saturday, February 8, 2014

ASHLEY VANSANT | DAILY NEWS AN ARTIST: Tim Kuca, from Fredericksburg, Va., carves a decoy at the East Carolina Wildlife Festival at the Civic Center on Saturday. Because Kuca’s creations are all hand-cut and hand-chopped, making each one unique, they fetch upwards of $1,000 at the Eastern Shore galleries where is work is featured.

ASHLEY VANSANT | DAILY NEWS
AN ARTIST: Tim Kuca, from Fredericksburg, Va., carves a decoy at the East Carolina Wildlife Festival at the Civic Center on Saturday. Because Kuca’s creations are all hand-cut and hand-chopped, making each one unique, they fetch upwards of $1,000 at the Eastern Shore galleries where is work is featured.

 

By TYLER STOCKS

Washington Daily News

The city of Washington has experienced a duck dynasty of its own this weekend as exhibitors, craftsman and sportsmen have gathered to celebrate the annual East Carolina Wildlife Festival. This year’s festival includes numerous art sculptures and decoys as well as paintings created by artists from across the country. The artwork is only the beginning, though.

A tent city of hunting experts, food vendors, conservation groups and retailers lines Main and Gladden streets. Through Sunday at 4 p.m. the two venues for the festival bring several thousand visitors to Washington. With more than 75 exhibits featuring antiques, jewelry, clothing, paintings and photography, there seems to be something for everyone.

Other activities at the festival include carving competitions, duck calling competitions and retriever demonstrations. A fundraising auction and dinner was held Saturday night at the Washington Yacht and County Club.

For those interested in attending the festival, admission is $12 and that fee includes access to the art show and visiting the exhibition tents and vendors. The festival is in its 19th year and is hosted by the East Carolina Wildlife Guild.

To find out more about the festival, you can visit www.littlewashingtonnc.com

ASHLEY VANSANT | DAILY NEWS TOURING: James Cashion takes a look at the wares of one of the many vendors at the wildlife festival, this one featuring knives made with antlers.

ASHLEY VANSANT | DAILY NEWS
TOURING: James Cashion takes a look at the wares of one of the many vendors at the wildlife festival, this one featuring knives made with antlers.

ASHLEY VANSANT | DAILY NEWS HELPING HAND: One of the many decoys entered into this year’s competition.

ASHLEY VANSANT | DAILY NEWS
HELPING HAND: One of the many decoys entered into this year’s competition.

ASHLEY VANSANT | DAILY NEWS MAKING THE CALL: Judges at the East Carolina Wildlife Festival weigh the floating merits of decoys.

ASHLEY VANSANT | DAILY NEWS
MAKING THE CALL: Judges at the East Carolina Wildlife Festival weigh the floating merits of decoys.

ASHLEY VANSANT | DAILY NEWS GROUNDED FLOCK: One display of carved decoys fills shelves at the East Carolina Wildlife Festival.

ASHLEY VANSANT | DAILY NEWS
GROUNDED FLOCK: One display of carved decoys fills shelves at the East Carolina Wildlife Festival.