GRAY – A special event to honor the animals at the Maine Wildlife Park will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The second annual “Honor the Animals Powwow” will include Native American drumming and dancing demonstrations, craft vendors, singers and traditional foods. Dancers with regalia will be admitted to the park for free on those two days only.

The highlight of the two-day festival will be the grand entry at noon Saturday, when all those present will enter onto the central grounds of the park.

Representatives of the Maine Abenaki, MicMac and Passamaquoddy tribes will be in attendance as well as other vendors and presenters. Native Americans from New Hampshire and Massachusetts are expected to be at the park as well.

A portion of the proceeds from this event will be directed toward new exhibits for the red and gray foxes. Regular park admission fees will be charged.

On Saturday only, there will be a shuttle bus available to take visitors from parking at Gray-New Gloucester High School to the Maine Wildlife Park in case the parking lot fills to capacity.

The Maine Wildlife Park has over 25 species of native wildlife on display, plus wildlife gardens, nature trails and other interactive exhibits and displays. The park is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Nov. 11. Visitors must leave the premises by 6 p.m. The park is accessible to those with disabilities.

Admission to the park is free for ages 3 and under; $3.25 for ages 4-12; $5 for adults; and $4 for seniors. Groups of 15 or more are $2.50 per person. Family and community season passes are available offering bargains for families and groups that visit the park several times over the course of the summer.

For more information, call the Maine Wildlife Park at 207-657-4977 extension 1; or go to www.mainewildlifepark.com or www.mefishwildlife.com.