Spirit of the coast’s Whale Festival survives virus
MendoParks fights to keep Whale Festival going for visitors, locals
FORT BRAGG >> Since 1992, MendoParks and California State Parks have provided educational activities at the annual whale festivals along the Mendocino Coast. From guided whale walks to the maintenance of the gray whale skeleton at MacKerricher State Park, and from whale displays to educational talks, they have celebrated the annual gray whale migration and enhanced visitors’ experience through free educational activities at state parks all along the Mendocino Coast.
This year, MendoParks created a series of virtual and selfguided whale “festival” activities, including a live virtual event on Saturday, March 27, featuring educational programs by California State Park interpreters and a benefit concert from Mendocino’s own, Steven Bates. Tickets are $20 with proceeds benefiting MendoParks, the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports State Parks in Mendocino County with educational activities, park improvements, and visitor services.
Free kids activities — complete with prizes! — are available at the Ford House in Mendocino at 45035 Main St. and at MacKerricher State Park, 24100 MacKerricher Park Rd. in Fort Bragg. The visitor centers are open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and complimentary whale watching brochures are available at the Ford House Visitor Center and the MacKerricher Visitor Center You can also find downloadable PDF available at MendoParks.org, featuring educational information and the best whale watching locations at State Parks, including:
• MacKerricher State Park at Laguna Point
• Jug Handle State Natural Reserve
• Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park
• Mendocino Headlands
• Van Damme State Park at Spring Ranch
A “How to Whale Watch on the Mendocino Coast” video is available at MendoParks.org, and an outdoor whale exhibit is on display at the Mendocino Headlands
State Park outside of the Ford House Visitor Center.
In the early 1990s, Rouvaishyana Polay, a State Parks Interpretive Specialist, led a team of volunteers to collect whale bones that washed up on the beach and articulated them into one complete skeleton. (MendoParks funded his position and paid for the interpretive supplies, as well as provided volunteer support.) The gray whale skeleton has been on display outside the MacKerricher State Park Visitor Center ever since, with MendoParks funding the annual maintenance of this natural history exhibit.
Traditionally, the annual whale festival at MacKerricher would include a time for volunteers — both visiting and local — to participate in the annual painting and maintenance of the skeleton. The display is a local treasure but is often overlooked as many visitors enter the park via the Mill Creek entrance, completely
bypassing the visitor center (which features an incredible natural history display) as well as the outdoor gray whale skeleton articulation.
To see the skeleton, head west from Highway 1 in Fort Bragg to enter the park at 24100 MacKerricher Park Road. There will be an entrance sign to the park which will guide you up the road into the
park from the main entrance. The gray whale skeleton is on display on the right as you enter the kiosk area. Parking is available on the left side of the kiosk for access to the skeleton and visitor center.
To purchase tickets for the March 27 event, and for information on all of MendoParks’ Whale Festival activities, please visit MendoParks.org