LOS ANGELES (CNS) — An annual festival hosted by the National Wildlife Federation to honor P-22 — the mountain lion that was photographed walking at night near the famous Hollywood sign — is going virtual Saturday as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The federation announced earlier this month that it had engaged a team of developers to create a custom virtual platform at www.urbanwildlifeweek.org that will allow people to safely attend the free event, "P-22's Wildlife Wonderland," from their homes.
Last year's P-22 Day Festival in Griffith Park drew more than 8,000 people, according to organizers.
The event will be open to people from throughout the world and will allow participants to create their own wildlife avatar and use it to help a virtual version of the famed mountain lion — whom biologists suspect has crossed the 405 and 101 Freeways — safely across the 101 Freeway and beyond.
The festival is set to begin at 11 a.m., with California Gov. Gavin Newsom set to speak at 11:30 a.m. about his connection to wildlife and the state's leadership in wildlife conservation efforts, followed by a message from Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Also planned are performances by the Grammy-nominated Black Pumas at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and an appearance by actress Julia Butters ("Once Upon A Time in Hollywood") at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The festival will also include exhibits, a kids' activity area, virtual walks and wildlife art lessons.