The 16th annual Alaska Bald Eagle Festival set an attendance record, with 264 participants, including 87 college students, according to organizer Cheryl McRoberts.
Last year, 201 participated, she said.
The American Bald Eagle Foundation, which organizes the festival, also sold out tickets for its “Flight for Freedom” banquet and auction Saturday. “We had to turn people away at the door,” McRoberts said.
The event, which auctioned off four rifles, outdoor gear, and artwork, raised more than $14,000. The money will be split between feeding the foundation’s resident birds and Haines-based groups and causes.
“George,” a bald eagle, was displayed at the banquet. Another red-tailed hawk is expected soon from Sitka. The foundation’s eight resident birds include a screech owl and red-tailed hawk that arrived last week from Auburn University.
McRoberts said the foundation is considering ties with a spring Swan festival in the Yukon, following a presentation last week by a Canadian naturalist. “They’ve asked if we can bring our birds up there for that event.”
The foundation is seeking volunteers to feed its birds and help train them. Hand-made leather cuffs and jesses, which are used to restrain birds, also are in demand, she said.
“We go through a lot of leather. Hunter, our barred owl, has chewed through 11 sets of cuffs and jesses since May. I give him a whole half-rat now (at feeding) rather than cut it up for him. He can tear that up instead of the jesses. It seems to be working,” McRoberts said.