The International Owl Center is offering free admission to Winneshiek and Allamakee County residents during their "Iowa Neighbor Weekend" this coming weekend

Winneshiek and Allamakee county residents, including Luther College students, will receive free admission to the International Owl Center in Houston, Minnesota on this coming Saturday and Sunday.

The International Owl Center is the only owl education center in the United States. It opened in Houston, Minnesota -- just one hour north of Decorah -- in a historic storefront in March of 2015. The center itself is an outgrowth of Houston's International Festival of Owls, held annually the first weekend in March. The Festival attracts about 2,000 people from around the country, and includes presentations by some of the world's top owl experts.

Four to five live ambassador owls currently work at the Center, and you'll also find touchable wings and tails, nine species of extremely lifelike mounted owls, owl art from children around the world, skulls, eggs, cultural items from around the world, and more. Highly trained staff present programs each day at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Houston itself also features a Parade of Owls art tour with 10 public owl sculptures, and Barista's Coffee House is completely decorated with owls.

The Center is open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Regular admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students ages 4-17, and children 3 and under and members are free. More information is available at www.internationalowlcenter.org or by contacting the Center at 507-896-OWLS (6957) or karla@internationalowlcenter.org.