Turtle Bay Exploration Park

Oktoberfest at Turtle Bay is the fall event your family can’t miss, taking place Saturday, Oct 10, 5-8pm in Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp featuring b**r (and root b**r), food, live music, live animals, artisan booths and more!

Each ticket includes the first drink on us, and be sure to dress in Oktoberfest attire to enter the contest to win Redding Garden of Lights tickets!

Buy tickets online at turtlebay.org or at the gate (subject to availability). Presented by Liquor Barn SasqWash Car Wash

Turtle Bay’s Fall Plant Sale is Saturday, Oct 3, with 20-30% off all plants propagated on-site for our climate, located at the west entrance of Turtle Bay Gardens at 1100 Arboretum Drive. Learn more at turtlebaynursery.org

Redding Garden of Lights is back for it’s 7th year at Turtle Bay and the presented by Dignity Health North State with NEW features for 2026 including a European-style “Christkindl Market” and Magic Wands that activate interactive displays throughout the light show!

Tickets are already on sale, visit reddinggardenoflights.org

Families with kids ages 0-5 can register for FREE admission to Turtle Bay Exploration Park Museum on the first Friday of each month, thanks to First 5 Shasta for making this access program possible. Pre-registration is required and limited, register online at turtlebay.org/first-fridays

When we came across this cute and quirky kitty while unpacking during the Collections Move, we knew it had to be our next Artifact of the Week. This hand-painted, three-dimensional wall plaque (1982.32.5 Gift of Les Evans) is carved from pine and depicts a lynx-like cat. If you look closely, you might notice real fur on the tips of its ears and what appear to be real whiskers.

A label on the back reads: “The Whittler Master Craftsman, Wildlife and Hand Carvings and Oil Paintings, Studio 1352 Oregon St., Redding, CA.” Museum records identify the artist as Les Evans, the donor. Further research revealed that he was a longtime Redding resident who spent most of his career as an engineer for the California Highway Department before retiring in 1949.

Woodcarving was just one of Evans' many talents. Known locally as "The Whittler," he also created oil paintings, built furniture, and taught himself art through correspondence courses. He also had a small boat-building business that he ran out of the shop behind his house. Beyond his craftsmanship, he was known for his generosity. Evans frequently donated handmade toys, boats, cradles, and even bunk beds to local organizations such as the Elks Lodge, the YMCA, and the Vision Valley Youth Camp. A real-life Santa, he brought joy to children throughout the community.

This playful kitty wall plaque is not only a wonderful example of the diversity of Evans’ talent but also a fun reminder of all the wonderful stories hiding within Turtle Bay’s Collection.

Turtle Bay is proud to partner with First 5 Shasta in supporting early childhood learning and literacy in our community!

Today, First 5 Shasta is celebrating 9 to 5 Day with their “Wigged Out for Literacy” community challenge, raising support for our local Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

We’re grateful for First 5 Shasta’s continued partnership with Turtle Bay and their investment in helping children throughout Shasta County learn, grow, and develop a lifelong love of reading.

Check out their fundraiser and join the fun by supporting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library!