TOPSFIELD | Just in time for the warmer summer months, the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary will be celebrating with their annual Audubon Nature Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

For the 10th year in a row, the sanctuary will welcome people to their 2,300 acres of land, the perfect venue for a summer gathering.

The theme of the event is "come see what's in our backyard to learn what's in yours," and will feature a variety of snakes, turtles, salamanders, frogs and toads native to the area in the Herp Tent. There will also be an Insect Zoo with some of the area's most amazing and unusual bugs, and a Butterfly Tent that will allow for a firsthand experience with Essex County's most beautiful and colorful butterflies.

Admission is $12 per car, and the event is rain or shine.

According to Education and Volunteer Coordinator Sue Baeslack, the event attracts between 700 and 800 guests each year.

"It's festive and fun, but not overcrowded," she said.

Children will be able to crawl into the beaver lodge to experience how beavers might live, and will enjoy crafts, face painting and henna in the Children's Activities Tent.

But the Nature Festival isn't just for kids. Adults are invited to take a guided tour of the butterfly and nature gardens. They can also learn how to fill their gardens with native plants to attract beneficial birds and insects, score some goodies at the plant sale and learn how to compost effectively.

Crafters will be demonstrating their specialties, like spinning, weaving, basket making, wood carving and rock painting. Homemade desserts and lunch will be available.

This year's Nature Festival will also feature a presentation called "Eyes On Owls," which will be given by Marcia Wilson. Six live owls will be accompanying Wilson, and curious guests will be able to get close views of some or all of her impressive roster of birds: an eastern screech owl, a saw-whet owl, a barred owl, a great-horned owl, a spectacled owl and a snowy owl.

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For more information, call the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary at 978-887-9264.