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On Saturday, December 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Friends of Blackwater will be hosting their Holiday Open House and Craft Show at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center near Cambridge, Maryland.

The day will feature talented artisans and their wildlife art, music, giveaways, unique nature merchandise, kids' activities, and even Eagle Claus for the young ones.

You can find a schedule of events on our Holiday Open House and Craft Show web page along with directions to the Refuge. And you can find out more about several of our artisans below.

If you haven't been to the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center since the new exhibits went up, now would be a great time to see them.

So be sure to come out for this wonderful event that will help you get into the holiday spirit and also help you find unique gifts for all the nature lovers on your list. Join us for a day of nature fun!

If you've been following our Blackwater Eagle Cam, you probably know the name of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service raptor biologist Craig Koppie. Craig has visited our Eagle Cam nest on a couple occasions, and now he's partnered with Salisbury University professor Teena Ruark Gorrow to produce the stunning "Inside a Bald Eagle's Nest: A Photographic Journey through the American Bald Eagle Nesting Season." Come meet Teena and Craig -- and purchase their wonderful book -- during our Open House.

Few photographers who frequent Blackwater Refuge are as well known and loved as Bob Quinn (Delmarvaphotos.com). Over the years, Bob has generously loaned many of his photos to the Friends for use in promoting the Refuge, and he will be at the Open House to autograph his beautiful book "The Wildlife of Blackwater Refuge."

Cindy Freland is the author of the Chesapeake Bay Adventure series of children's books: "Curtis the Crab," "Jordan the Jellyfish," "Chester the Chipmunk," and the newly-released "Heather the Honey Bee," which takes place in the Butterfly Garden at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Bring your kids to hear Cindy read and pick up a copy of her book, which helps children develop a love and respect of nature.

Decoy and bird artist Don Briddell will be at our Open House to show off his incredible sculptures that you will surely want to take home for display on your walls. Don's work has been exhibited in more than 300 wildlife and gift shows nationwide, and he even designed a special Christmas tree ornament for the permanent collection of the White House. Be sure to come and see the work of Overboard Art -- the Art of Blade and Brush.