This flying squirrel will be among several creatures that greet visitors and share stories along the trails at Audubon Community Nature Center’s Enchanted Forest. Spaces are already filling up for the Oct. 7-8 event. Submitted photo

Spaces are filling up for Audubon Community Nature Center’s Enchanted Forest, Friday and Saturday, October 7 and 8.

The non-scary event is designed for children and their adults.

On this enchanted evening, animals have the ability to speak human language and communicate with visitors. Visitors will follow a guide through the luminary-lit Enchanted Trail to meet them.

Talking animals engage the imagination, tell jokes and teach something about wildlife in the region. After the walk, stop in the backyard to enjoy snacks and a campfire. There will be crafts, live animals, and exhibits to explore inside the Nature Center.

Enchanted Forest happens rain or shine, so be sure to dress for the weather. For protection from biting insects like mosquitoes, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, closed-toe shoes, and insect repellent are recommended. Halloween costumes are welcome.

Walks start at 6 p.m. and go out every 10 minutes, with each walk lasting about 40 minutes. The last walk starts at 8 p.m. (Sunset is approximately 6:45 p.m.)

This annual event can be expected to sell out.

No tickets are sold at the door. Prepayment is required and reserves a specific time.

The fee is $12, $9 for Nature Center members, $6 for children ages 3-15, and free for children 2 and under.

For more information and to reserve your time, call 716-569-2345 during business hours or click through “Programs and Events” at AudubonCNC.org. There are no ticket sales at the door and no refunds.

Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. Visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve and visit with Audubon’s three live birds of prey, view the native tree arboretum, gardens, picnic areas and natural play space and hike the six miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members.

To learn more about Audubon and its programs, call 716-569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org, where you will find the most up-to-date COVID-19 Notice at the top of the page.