The Vulture Fest was held this year Oct. 29, 2024 in Makanda, Illinois. Originally, the festival was held on the 3rd weekend of October to watch the migration of turkey vultures south, but
now the festival’s name tells a story about what used to be. According to some, the change in the vultures’ migration pattern is a testament to a greater issue – climate change.
Jim Shoftsall from the Free Again Wildlife Rehabilitation Center says that the center has been coming to the festival for at least 25 years. “This weekend is when the turkey vultures would
migrate south,” he said. Fifteen years ago a couple hundred vultures would land in the treeline near the Makanda Boardwalk, but it doesn’t happen anymore, according to Shofstall. “Climate
change is real.”
Now, the festival continues without the vulture migration and attracts visitors because of its vendors, arts and crafts and live music.
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