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International Festival of Owls roosts in Houston this weekend

Hundreds of people are expected to flock in Houston this weekend for the annual International Festival of Owls.

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A pair of great horned owls watch the people watching them during the Festival of Owls at the Owl Center in Houston.

HOUSTON — Hundreds of people are expected to flock in Houston this weekend for the annual International Festival of Owls.

The festival kicks off Friday with live owls throughout the day at the International Owl Center. In the evening, events move to Houston High School before those lucky enough to have grabbed spots on the owl prowls head out.

New this year, artist Molly Wiste will be carving an owl bench at Trailhead Park. The bench will be a permanent piece of functional art near the location of the future home of the International Owl Center, the center’s director, Karla Bloem, said. Wood carver Robin Warburton will have multiple pieces on display.

Also new this year, and by popular demand, the festival will feature "short attention span" programs for everyone looking to see a live owl but unable to sit still.

On Saturday and Sunday, the vast majority of the events will be held at Houston High School.

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At 2 p.m. Saturday, Bloem will teach how to watch and photograph owls without disturbing them. "Learn to interpret owl behavior so you can tell if your actions are stressing the owls you are watching or photographing," according to the event’s website. "Every owl is an individual and every situation is unique, so let the owl tell you what is OK and what isn’t."

Earlier in the day, author Christie Gove-Berg will be on hand to sign copies of her book "Greta the Great Horned Owl." The book will be released in April.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, the Owl Center will show the film "The Secret Life of Owls." The film is back after premiering in the U.S. two years ago at the festival.

The film, which is part of a larger series, "The Nature of Things," has not aired on television in the U.S. Neil Rettig and Laura Johnson, husband and wife from Wisconsin, will attend the screening along with the "star of the show," a great horned owl named Robbie. Alice the owl and Bloem are also featured in the film.

Many of the events that required preregistration are already sold out, but a few tickets for the banquet remain, Bloem said Monday afternoon.

For those attending their first festival, Bloem recommends looking at the schedule before you come.

"That is huge. Pay attention to where things are taking place because it’s all over town," Bloem said.

If you plan on coming for more than one day or with a family, Bloem recommends getting a membership. Those looking to avoid the crowds should plan on attending an event Friday afternoon, but come early, as those programs tend to be standing-room-only, Bloem said. Sunday events are also a good option for those looking to avoid the crowds.

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A complete schedule of events can be found online at www.festivalofowls.com .

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