The 24th annual Alaska Bald Eagle Festival will have a focus on community engagement and education, Sidney Campbell, raptor program manager at the foundation told CVN.
“Our philosophy is that education should be applicable, fun, and self-driven, so most of what we’re doing is letting the public educate each other,” Campbell said.
Attendees can sign up at the event to present a story about birds during Thursday’s second annual Bird Talk. Speakers can recite readings, poetry, or music related to birds.
Additionally, keynote speaker Jason Beale from Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center in Pennsylvania will present “Natriatism: tales of nature and the American ways” on Thursday at 6 p.m.
ABEF curator Katie Dickerson said another change this year is shortening the festival from six to four days. The consolidation will give out of town visitors the opportunity to see all events in less time, Dickerson said.
The art bazaar kicking off the event among Wednesday’s festivities will host more local artists this year, along with returning craftsmen. Among them, Trevor Barrett will showcase his handmade knives, and Cassie Miller will display nature inspired jewelry from her business Corvidae Creations.
Following the bazaar, Chilkat Dancers will perform at 7:30 p.m., at the foundation as part of a cultural evening event. There will also we storytellers representing indigenous culture.
On Friday, Takshanuk Watershed Council will partner with the ABEF and Southeast Alaska State Fair to screen several mini nature documentaries at the annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival. The screening will begin at 6 p.m. at Harriet Hall, and include dinner for an additional fee.
As part of festival tradition, Flight for Freedom, two eagles will be auctioned for release at the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center on Saturday at 1 p.m. The subadult eagles have come from an organization in Anchorage, Bird TLC, that rehabilitates injured birds. Last year, two birds were auctioned for release at $500 apiece, Campbell said.
Afterward, the event will finish with the festival banquet at Harriet Hall, with live music, raffles, and a cash bar.
Throughout the festival, the American Bald Eagle Foundation will hold their daily onsite programs for visitors, including 11 a.m. trainer chats with avian ambassadors, 12 p.m. natural history talks about the Chilkat Valley ecosystems, and 1 p.m. bald eagle talks about the pride of the Chilkat Valley.
“My favorite part of the bald eagle festival is a celebration of the Chilkat Valley. We have this wonderful event where bald eagles are coming to our homes because of the resources the river provides,” Dickerson said. Dickerson and Campbell have been planning the festival itinerary since August.
Tickets for the banquet fundraiser are still available at the American Bald Eagle Foundation for $50.
Dickerson said the banquet drew about 120 people last year, and they are hoping to get around the same amount this year.