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This event is a festival, a nature outing, and a fascinating museum trip all wrapped into one exciting day!
From live animals encounters to fish feedings by divers in our giant aquariums, NatureFEST! offers something for everyone.
Families and young budding scientists won't want to miss live demonstrations of Mississippi reptiles, citizen scientist explorations, and behind-the-scenes tours with our scientists.
This event is included with museum admission or MMNSF Membership. Activities and schedule subject to change.
Check back for more info as this event develops.
ANIMAL PRESENTATIONS
Wild Acres (Rotwein Theatre at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.)
Freedom Ranch (NEW front lawn stage at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.)
Hattiesburg Zoo (Outdoor Amphitheater at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.)
Wild Acres: Eurasian Lynx
Freedom Ranch: educator with owl
Hattiesburg Zoo: prehensile-tailed porcupine. Photo credit: Keeper Logan
FEATURED ARTIST: Ellen Langford
Ellen will be painting/demonstrating at her booth.
In 2025, Ellen Langford hiked the entire Appalachian Trail - from Georgia to Vermont - capturing her journey through a series of paintings inspired by the landscapes, wildlife, and quiet moments of reflection she experienced along the way.
Those works have been curated into an engaging calendar that celebrates outdoor adventure and the spirit of the trail.
Be sure to stop by her tent at NatureFEST 2026 to watch a live painting demonstration and explore her artwork - you just might find the perfect piece to bring a touch of the outdoors into your home.
She will also have for sale:
- paintings finished during NatureFEST
- original paintings in gouache, oil and acrylic
- 2026 calendars with paintings and notes about Ellen’s 2025 hike from Georgia to Vermont along the Appalachian Trail
- notecards.
Check out Ellen and her work here.
STORY TIME
Join Kay Meadows, author of the children's board book "It's Buggy in Mississippi", for a few pop-up story times. She will also have a few copies of the book available for purchase.
PAST NATUREFEST PHOTOS
Museum of Natural Science