Visitors who attend the 22^nd Annual Celebration of the Whales Festival at the Channel Islands Harbor are going to be in for a variety of surprises.

This year’s event will feature new family-friendly activities, chalk art, and prize drawings that include whale watching excursions courtesy of Island Packers and Channel Islands Whale Watching.

The event is being held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, 2019. Activities will be held at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, the Channel Islands Harbor Farmers Market, and a “Gray Whale Migration Trail” along the marina path that connects the two activity centers.

Gray Whale Migration Trail

Children and adults can both enjoy the migration trail, which will be lined with educational activities and more than 20 pieces of sidewalk chalk art.

To participate in the migration trail, families can pick up a special whale hat, passport, and map that helps navigate the route. Hats, passports, and the map can be picked up at designated booths at the Farmers Market or Maritime Museum.

Stops along the trail include “Whale of a Selfie,” “Become a Whale Detective,” “Become a Whale Explorer,” and “Become a Whale Designer.” If participants complete the four stops on the trail, they will be eligible to win whale watching tickets (courtesy of Island Packers and Channel Islands Whale Watching) along with a variety of other prizes.

Channel Islands Maritime Museum

The Maritime Museum will host the Celebration of the Whales. At the Museum, there will be interactive and educational booths including a touch tank, family-friendly activities including arts and crafts, a bounce house, live entertainment, contests, prizes and food trucks. Admission to the museum will be free and inside visitors can enjoy short documentaries, knot tying demonstrations and more.

Channel Islands Farmers Market

The Farmers Market will feature an arts & crafts market, children’s activities, whale facts, and educational booths.

The Celebration of Whales Festival is a collaborate event among Harbor lessees, businesses, and the Harbor Department that celebrates the migration of the Pacific Gray Whale.