Huckleberries and blueberries gathered for the Rainforest Festival in 2019 (Joe Viechnicki/KFSK)

Petersburg’s Rainforest Festival is expanding into all four seasons.

Now in it’s 14th year, the event has been held in early September and is a celebration of the natural world, plants, animals and marine life of Southeast Alaska. The steering committee this month announced new events for most if not all months of the year, focusing on more than just autumn harvest time.

The first new events start up in April, with others planned in May and around the summer solstice. Organizers say it will allow more flexibility around migrations, foraging and learning throughout the year.

Joe Viechnicki spoke with two of the co-founders Sunny Rice and Karen Dillman about the change.

The first event is around April 22 Earth Day for a guided walk on trees and shrubs.

Local resident Brad Hunter will lead a birding walk for beginners in late May.

The festival also will pair its ephemeral art show with the Moving Music Concert series in June. Art works and musicians will be around Outlook park and the Hungry Point Trail on Saturday, June 18, just before the summer solstice. Artists interested in creating a piece for that should contact Rice or Dillman.

The Annabelle Baker Memorial Art Show will still be in September at the Clausen Museum.

Events will be announced on the festival’s website and facebook page and on KFSK.