Beyond the stage: paddles, storytelling, and the banders are back
The rest of Ijams Park keeps its own weekend — two evening paddles, a Saturday of stories and skills, and Sunday's bird-banding table returning at dawn.
While the Bard has the lawn, the rest of Ijams Park runs its usual gentle slate. Friday and Saturday both offer a guided Evening Paddle at 7:30, sunset on the Tennessee River with boats provided — register ahead. Saturday fills in around it: free storytelling at the Nature Playscape from ten to noon, and a three-hour Wilderness Basics class in the afternoon for anyone who wants to be a little more capable outdoors.
- Fri & Sat
- Evening Paddle · 7:30–9:30 PM
- Sat Jul 25
- Storytelling 10 AM · Wilderness Basics 3 PM
- Sun Jul 26
- Bird Banding 7:30 AM · Self Care Sunday yoga 11:30 AM
But the one to circle is Sunday at 7:30 in the morning, when the bird-banding table is back after a couple of weeks off. Researchers net, measure, band, and release wild songbirds close enough to count the feathers — real science, all ages, coffee encouraged. And if you'd rather ease in, Self Care Sunday yoga is in the trees at 11:30.
