HOISINGTON — The fun, filled Wetlanders Festival is scheduled for April 16.

It is an all-day festival promoting activities that focus on Cheyenne Bottoms. Cheyenne Bottoms is a naturally made inland marsh that is important as a stopover location for migratory birds and water fowl. Over the years, Cheyenne Bottoms generated much economic activity as hunters found the numbers of ducks and geese unmatched.

Fisherman used to line the banks to prove their fishing skills. Currently, farmers and ranchers use part of the area. However, a great portion of Cheyenne Bottoms is owned by the Nature Conservancy and Kansas Wild Life and Parks, preserving the area for the future.

The fifth-annual Wetlanders Festival celebrates this heritage with activities for children, youth and adults. There will be birding tours of Cheyenne Bottoms conducted by the Kansas Wetlands Education Center staff along with many of the favorite events held in the past. This year’s evening event will finish off with a Ducks Unlimited banquet and Auction.

Attendees can stay the weekend and attend the 10th-anniversary Hoisington Tornado Remembrance events on Sunday, April 17. The Wetlanders Festival is sponsored by Hoisington Main Street Inc.

The events are held in various locations on Main Street and at Lebert Park.

Volunteers are needed to help with events. Those wanting to help can contact the Main Street office at 620-653-2208.