Calling all party animals

So what do you get a nature center for its 27th birthday?

In Itasca, no gifts are necessary as the Spring Brook Nature Center is instead hosting a celebration for the community.

From noon to 5 p.m. Sunday the nature center, 130 Forest Ave., will celebrate its 27th year educating and entertaining the community.

And everyone is invited.

"We've tied the anniversary into our annual summerfest celebration: 'Variety is the Key to Life,'æ" said director Fred Maier. "It's a family festival where we explore bio-diversity and focus on the wild, local creatures living around us."

Maier said one of the event's highlights is expected to be the 60-foot-long Illinois Natural History Survey Traveling Science Center. The trailer, he said is full of displays showing a variety of life in our local ecosystems.

Visitors also can talk with wildlife experts, enjoy storytelling, face-painting, live animals, food vendors, guided nature walks, children's games and crafts.

Naturalist Debby Farley will host an education session about raptors in the area, and children can take their photos with several of the large birds of prey.

After the raptor presentation, storyteller Brian "Fox" Ellis will become John James Audubon in this first-person living history program.

As Audubon, Ellis will enchant audiences with stories of his travels in the wildest places on the planet as he finishes illustrating every known bird in North America.

"He's really fascinating," Maier said. "Audubon will walk the guests through a really fascinating timetable of bird migration patterns through the years."

Free parking is available at Irving Park Road and Catalpa Avenue. Handicapped parking is available at the nature center.

For more information, please call (630) 773-5572 or visit www.itasca.com.

Spring Brook Nature Center's Anniversary

What: A daylong celebration of the nature center's 27th anniversary and the creatures living around us

Where: 130 Forest Ave.

When: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday

Cost: Admission and parking are free. Fees are required for face-painting and stuffed-animal making exhibits.

What you'll find: Visitors can talk with wildlife experts, enjoy storytelling, face-painting, live animals, food concessions, guided nature walks, children's games and crafts.

Details: (630) 773-5572 or visit www.itasca.com