Free wildlife festival in Charlotte Saturday

A free festival at Marshall Park on Saturday will celebrate Charlotte's recent designation as an official “Community Wildlife Habitat.”

Given by the National Wildlife Federation, the certification recognizes community efforts to create green landscapes, improve air and water quality and restore vital habitat.

Charlotte is the third-largest city in the United States to be certified, and the largest east of the Mississippi.

Called “Charlotte Naturally,” the festival will be 10 a.m.-noon at the park at 800 E. Third St.

The festival will include live music, children’s activities, live animals including a raptor, and such vendors as the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, National Wildlife Federation, Mecklenburg Audubon and Sustain Charlotte.

Details: www.crowncharlotte.org/charlotte-naturally.

This story was originally published April 30, 2015 at 8:16 AM with the headline "Free wildlife festival in Charlotte Saturday."