Delta -- The sights and sounds of thousands of pure white snow geese flying and feeding will be enjoyed at the Eighth Annual Snow Goose Festival.

Snow geese may be viewed at and near Gunnison Bend Reservoir, west of Delta. The festival runs Feb. 25, 26 and 27, and March 4 and 5.

Admission is free.

"Spotting scopes will be set up so participants can get a close view of the geese, and Division of Wildlife Resources personnel will be available to answer any questions they have," said Bob Walters, Watchable Wildlife coordinator for the DWR.

Free wildlife-related workshops, and arts and crafts and photography exhibits, also will be offered on Feb. 25 and 26, and March 4 and 5.

For a list of activities, go to the Millard County Web site
(www.millardcounty.com) and click on Snow Goose Festival, and then click on Attractions.

Walters encourages visitors to view the geese with binoculars or spotting scopes. "People who get too close to the geese will probably scare them away, and that will spoil the viewing experience for everyone," he said.

When viewing from roadways, visitors are strongly encouraged to use caution and to watch for vehicles. Walters also advises participants to prepare for cold or wet weather by wearing the proper clothes.

Areas where people may see geese vary according to the time of day.

"The geese usually feed in fields that surround the reservoir early in the morning and then fly back to the reservoir before 10:30 a.m.," Walters said. "They normally leave the reservoir between 4 and 6 p.m. and fly out to the fields again to feed."

Walters says DWR personnel will watch which fields the geese fly to and will direct visitors, who arrive after the geese have left the reservoir, to the proper fields.

For more information about the 2005 Snow Goose Festival call Walters at
(801) 538-4771; the Division of Wildlife Resources' Southern Region office at (435) 865-6100; the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce at (800) 864-0345; or visit the Millard County Web site at www.millardcounty.com