The 20th annual salamander festival took place Saturday, Jan. 27 gathering hundreds of people. But why is this event celebrated?
Friends of Shades Creek is a non-profit organization with the main goal of protecting Shades Creek. The organization hosts the salamander festival each year, starting in 2004.
Friends of Shades Creek director Michelle Blackwood has been helping run the salamander festival since it started.
Blackwood said the purpose of the salamander festival is to bring awareness to the spotted salamanders.
“People don’t know they’re there because they live underground and they only come out on rainy nights,” Blackwood said
Blackwood said the spotted salamander is a crucial part of Homewood’s environment as they help eat bugs and keep the environment clean.
WBHM reporter/host Richard Banks attended the festival and was shocked to see how many people showed up.
“It’s a really remarkable thing that a nonprofit organization does to bring awareness and go help at the creek,” Banks said.
Homewood Environmental Commission member and Friends of Shades Creek board member, Anita Morgan came to represent the environmental commission for her first year at the Salamander Festival.
“My first impression was amazement, at how big it is and how many people show up,” Morgan said.
The festival was full of kids having fun and music played by the “Swinging Slythereens,”
Morgan was impressed by the number of other animals along with salamanders at the festival.
The fun music, games and booths are great reasons why Homewood residents should check out the festival next January and help raise awareness for the spotted salamander.
