Join the Garden City Bird Sanctuary for Winterfest on January 10, 2026

In January of 2009, the Garden City Bird Sanctuary (GCBS) celebrated its first Winterfest. It was a holiday created by the GCBS for us (i.e., Board of Directors, volunteers, donors), and it also includes YOU—those of good will who agree with our mission. Winterfest is celebrated every second Saturday in January, and it is there for a purpose.

Every successful organization, like the GCBS, needs certain days with ceremonies that remind everyone of our roots: our purpose, our shared values, where we came from, and where we want to grow. It takes place in the cold of January, named after a Roman god (Janus) with two faces, one facing forward and one backward. At Winterfest we look back with gratitude over the past year, and we look forward in hope as we publicly announce our annual goal of what we will improve. The cold reminds us of the heart of one who does give of himself/herself, and of difficult times.

In winter, the days are short, the nights are long, and nature sleeps with barren trees and no flowers. Winterfest is a celebration of the three principal purposes that bind us together –volunteerism, environmental stewardship, and hope (these are expressed in the Latin language, belonging to none, so belonging to all).

Winterfest begins at twilight (3:45) and consists of three meaningful ceremonies. As you enter there will be hot cocoa and a warm fire crackling. By 4:15PM the ceremonies begin:

• The Cleansing Space
• The Good Journey
• The Great Telling

Near the fire we have some twigs nearby. We will ask that everyone take up a stick and let them symbolize all the unwanted thoughts and past experiences we all have. Then we line up and cast them into the fire to be cleansed away by the flames that project light and heat instead of the darkness of those memories. Winterfest is about new beginnings with old friends, and the new friends we meet here.

At Winterfest, we never say “goodbye” but “Good Journey,” for every destination is but a doorway that leads to another. We use green candles during a guided walk around part of the Sanctuary. The green candles are symbolic of hope of the spring to come and the light of the talent and warmth which comes forth from the caring love of the Board, our volunteers/donors, and all people of good will (like YOU) that keep us going.

The Great Telling reminds us of our origin and values as we “pass on the light” symbolized by our green candles. We thank and give awards to our Volunteers of the Year from 2025. We each tell a part of the story and end in darkness with our message of hope: ALL WINTERS MUST COME TO AN END! Not just seasonal winters, but the “winters” of all our problems. The great religions tell us that even the winter of death itself shall be overcome by a spring of New Life afterwards.

The GCBS is a community in a real sense as it offers you a place of belonging and calls for us to acknowledge our interdependence on each other and on nature. To belong has two meanings; to be part of something greater than oneself (I belong to that family, that house of worship, etc.) and ownership (that object belongs to me). The Board and the volunteers/donors belong to the GCBS in both senses of that word.

It calls on the greater communities of Garden City, Nassau County, New York State, and the United States to emulate our lead. We, on the Board, govern collaboratively, and all our members and volunteers are asked to be investors, owners, and creators of all we are and hope to become. There are no strangers who come to help at the GCBS, only friends we haven’t met.

So, come on down January 10, 2026 (snow date 01/17/26) to the GCBS and discover Winterfest: a modern holiday celebrating timeless ideals which make communities work! Won’t you become part of our community? The GCBS is opposite 182 Tanners Pond Road. The gates open at 3:45 pm. The event is free and open to the general public. It ends at approximately 5 pm. We hope to see you there!