3,000 attend Birdfest at refuge

Ridgefield — More than 3,000 people attended the annual Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge BirdFest celebration. It was the 13th year for the festival, held Nov. 4 at the refuge. During the day, visitors took canoe tours, went on guided hikes, lent a hand pulling ivy and made baskets. In addition, hungry attendees ate nearly 70 pounds of salmon. The event is put together by the Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, a nonprofit group dedicated to supporting the refuge through educational activities and fundraisers.