Welcome
It’s a wrap – After two days of presentations, tours, seminars, cranes and more cranes, the first annual Great Midwest Crane Fest has finished. Thank you to everyone who came from near and far, and we hope to see you again in November 2023!
Register now for the first annual Great Midwest Crane Fest – Celebrating Community and Conservation in Baraboo, Wisconsin, from November 10 to 12, 2022, as thousands of Sandhill Cranes gather near the Wisconsin River before flying south for the winter.
Witness the marvel of Wisconsin’s largest crane congregation and participate in guided crane-viewing tours, photography seminars, conservation-related lectures and extraordinary events. Explore the beautiful landscapes and rich histories connecting the festival hosts, the International Crane Foundation and Aldo Leopold Foundation.
Please remember to follow these crane-safe behaviors throughout the festival:
- Give cranes space and appreciate them from afar. Remain in your vehicle and get no closer than 100 yards.
- Please remain concealed and do not speak loudly enough that the birds can hear you. If the cranes you are viewing change their behavior, such as going from feeding and relaxing to being alert, walking away, or flying away, you are too close to the cranes.
- Finally, do not trespass on private, state or federal property in an attempt to view or photograph cranes – thank you!
Photo: Sandhill Cranes on the Wisconsin River by Jackson Newman
Registration & Admission
$55 Friday and Saturday
$30 Single day Friday
$35 Single day Saturday
$6 Youth (ages 6-17)
Ages 5 and under are free.
Festival registration includes entrance to the Aldo Leopold Foundation and International Crane Foundation and events at each site, including lectures and tours of the Cranes of the World and Leopold Shack. Please note that capacity may be limited for select events.
You may also register for one or more seminars or add-on tours for additional fees. View the full schedule to register for these add-on events.
Please email us or call 608-356-9462, ext. 807 with registration questions. View our event FAQ.
Please remember that the festival is rain or shine and registration is non-refundable.
Festival Schedule At a Glance
Thursday | November 10
The festival begins with an Evening Crane Congregation Tour at the Aldo Leopold Foundation from 2 to 5:30 p.m.
Friday | November 11
The events on Friday kick off with a Guided Sunrise Crane Viewing Tour from 6 to 8 a.m.
The International Crane Foundation and Aldo Leopold Foundation will be open from noon to 5 p.m., with various lectures, tours and seminars.
End the day with a showing of the documentary Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County.
Saturday | November 12
A full day on Saturday begins with the Guided Sunrise Crane Viewing Tour from 6 to 8 a.m.
The Aldo Leopold Foundation and International Crane Foundation will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an exciting array of tours, seminars and lectures.
Close out the festival with the Crane Song documentary at the UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Great Midwest Crane Fest
Stamp Card
Don’t forget to pick up your festival stamp card when you check in for the festival! Visit three participating Baraboo businesses between November 10 to 12, and drop off your completed card at any festival registration table to enter to win a gift basket! Three lucky winners will be contacted at the end of November.
Special thanks to our participating businesses:
A Sense of Adventure, Balanced Rock Winery, Baraboo Children’s Museum, Baraboo Toy Soldier Shoppe and Miniatures, Bekah Kate’s, Eye of the Beholder, Recycled Sally’s, The Relish Tray Bistro, Spirit Lake Trading Company and Von Klaus Winery
Register
Festival registration includes entrance to the Aldo Leopold Foundation and International Crane Foundation and events at each site, including lectures and tours of the Cranes of the World and Leopold Shack. Please note that capacity may be limited for select events.
You may also register for one or more seminars or add-on tours for additional fees. View the full schedule to register for these add-on events.
Please email us or call 608-356-9462 ext. 807 with registration questions. View our event FAQ.
Please remember that the festival is rain or shine, and registration is non-refundable.
Note your personal information may be shared between the International Crane Foundation and Aldo Leopold Foundation pursuant to both organizations’ privacy policies.