After a two-year hiatus, the 47th annual Woodcarving and Wildlife Art Festival, hosted by the Lancaster County WoodCarvers Club, will return to Millersville on Saturday, March 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival will take place inside the Student Memorial Center at Millersville University, which is on the opposite side of the street from 101 Shenks Lane, Millersville. Masks will be required per Millersville University policy. Masks will be provided to those who do not have one.

"I personally am just excited to have the show back and see friends and meet new friends," said Ben Hershey, chairman of the festival. Hershey has been affiliated with the festival since 2009 but has been carving for 39 years. According to Hershey, anywhere from 1,100 to 1,500 people attend the event each year.

This year's theme is "Spring to Life," and the featured artist will be Mike Dieter, who is a bird, decoy, and Santa carver. Sister clubs expected to exhibit at the event include the American National Cane Club (ANCC), Carroll Carvers, Conewago Carvers, Cumberland Valley Woodcarvers, West Shore Woodcarvers, Yorkarvers, PA Delaware Valley Woodcarvers, William Rush Woodcarvers Club, and Pennsylvania Gourd Society. Original woodcarvings and wildlife art will be available for purchase.

"Attendees will be surprised how many different things they're going to see," stated Hershey. "I do animals, somebody will do birds, somebody will do Santas. If you haven't seen woodcarving and wildlife art, this event is for you."

Hourlong lectures, presentations, and demonstrations by various carvers will be given every hour and will begin on the half-hour. Vendors will sell carving and art tools, supplies, books, wood, and more. Among the vendors will be Hillcrest Carving, John Dunkle Knives, Ritter Carvers Inc., and Stadtlander Woodcarvings. There will be a silent auction consisting of carvings and wildlife art, which have been donated by exhibitors and club members. The proceeds will be split evenly between the club's Beginner Carver Fund and one local nonprofit organization. Door prizes of carvings done by the Lancaster County WoodCarvers will be awarded regularly throughout the festival, and a competition will be open to exhibitors and club members only. Entries must be submitted by 8 p.m. on Friday, March 11.

The Lancaster County WoodCarvers Club meets monthly on the third Tuesday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Community United Methodist Church, 130 Tennyson Drive, Lancaster. Open carve sessions take place on the first Thursday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church.

There is a fee to attend the festival. Free admission will be given to children under the age of 15, high school and college students, veterans, and those active in the military. For more information, visit http://www.lancarvers.com.