1K Followers About the event
Join us March 5–7, 2027, in beautiful Monte Vista, Colorado, for the annual Monte Vista Crane Festival. Each spring, thousands of Sandhill Cranes return to Colorado’s San Luis Valley, gathering alongside waterfowl and other wildlife against a spectacular backdrop of snowcapped mountains.Spend the weekend enjoying exceptional wildlife viewing, engaging talks and workshops, guided experiences throughout the San Luis Valley, a Friday evening film, and our featured keynote presentation. The annual Craft & Nature Fair, organized by the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce, is free and open to the public throughout the e experience one of Colorado’s great wildlife migrations—and the welcoming rural community that has celebrated the return of the cranes for more than four decades.
Dates
Mar 05, 2027 · 7:00 AM - Mar 07, 2027 · 4:00 AM(GMT-06:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada)
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Location
Parking instructions
Parking spaces in front of the Ski-Hi Multipurpose building are designated for handicapped users only. Loading and unloading is allowed, as long as a vehicle does not remain for more than ten minutes. Parking for general users will be in the parking lots on either side of the building.
Health & safety
The Monte Vista Crane Festival takes place in Colorado’s San Luis Valley in early March. Weather and outdoor conditions can change quickly, so attendees should come prepared for winter conditions.Weather & Outdoor ConditionsDress in layers and bring warm, windproof and weather-resistant clothing. Sturdy footwear is strongly recommended. Outdoor experiences may include snow, ice, mud, uneven terrain and changing weather conditions.Festival activities may be modified, delayed or canceled when weather, road conditions, wildlife conditions or other circumstances make it unsafe or impractical to proceed.AccessibilityIndoor festival activities at the Ski Hi Complex are accessible. Some off-site and outdoor experiences may take place on uneven terrain or in locations where snow, ice or mud can affect accessibility. Please review individual activity descriptions carefully and contact festival organizers in advance if you have accessibility questions or need assistance.Wildlife & Refuge EtiquettePlease observe wildlife from a safe distance and follow all instructions from guides, refuge staff and festival volunteers. Stay on designated roads, trails and viewing areas where required, and never feed, approach or disturb wildlife.Many wildlife-viewing areas include wetlands, ponds, ditches and potentially unstable ice. Children should be closely supervised at all times.Health & EmergenciesIf you are ill or experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness, please stay home.In an emergency, call 911 and notify the nearest festival staff member or volunteer. Lost items and lost-child assistance will be handled through the main festival information area at the Ski Hi Complex.Thank you for helping us keep the Monte Vista Crane Festival safe, welcoming and enjoyable for everyone.
Event highlights
2027 Keynote - Kristi Dranginis
We’re thrilled to welcome bird educator and mentor Kristi Dranginis as the 2027 Monte Vista Crane Festival keynote speaker. Founder of Bird Mentor and the For the Love of Birds Festival, Kristi is known for helping people deepen their connection with birds through observation, curiosity, and a greater understanding of avian behavior. Her engaging, accessible approach makes birding meaningful for beginners and experienced birders alike.
If you’ve ever chuckled at the Bird and Moon comics featured in our monthly newsletters or spotted her witty art in Living Bird Magazine, you already know why this is such a treat. Rosemary’s work blends humor, science, and heart, connecting people of all ages to the natural world in unexpected ways.
In addition to her keynote, Rosemary will lead a drawing workshop for kids and adults—where you’ll get to create your own nature comic! Whether you’re a budding artist, a bird nerd, or both, this is a can’t-miss event.
Sponsors
Interested in applying:
1 active application
Deadline:
Dec 15, 2026
Support the 2027 Monte Vista Crane Festival, March 5–7, and help us welcome visitors from across Colorado and beyond to one of the San Luis Valley’s signature events.
Sponsorships support festival programming, educational opportunities, wildlife experiences, and the continued growth of this community tradition.
Please complete this application to select your sponsorship level and provide the information we need for sponsor recognition.
Important dates:
Sponsorship commitments must be received by December 15, 2026 to guarantee inclusion in the printed festival program. Final logos and advertising artwork must be received by January 5, 2027.
Sponsorship opportunities received after December 15 may still be considered, but printed recognition and certain benefits cannot be guaranteed.
Questions? Contact Festival Director Amy Engle at amy@createyourfable.com.
Terms & Conditions
Refund Policy:Festival Passes are non-refundable.Tickets for limited-capacity experiences and other separately ticketed activities may be refunded up to 7 days before the scheduled activity. After that deadline, tickets are non-refundable.If the Monte Vista Crane Festival cancels a ticketed activity for any reason—including weather, unsafe road conditions, refuge conditions, or other circumstances beyond the festival’s control—ticket holders will receive a full refund of the ticket purchase price or, when available, may choose to transfer their registration to another activity.Tickets may be transferred to another attendee by updating the ticket holder information in Eventeny. Ticket resale through Eventeny may also be available for eligible tickets when that feature is enabled.Optional ticket protection may be available through Eventeny at the time of purchase for attendees who would like additional protection for otherwise non-refundable tickets.
Hosted by Fable Communications
Joined Eventeny in November 2024
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