Thursday
Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the foundation will hold bald eagle natural history chats discussing the unique aspects of eagle behavior and the significance of Haines’ distinctive geography, which plays a vital role in providing a feeding ground for the birds throughout the lean months of winter.
A local artists bazaar will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. featuring artists from Haines and the Yukon Territory who will showcase their work in a variety of mediums throughout the American Bald Eagle Foundation (ABEF) center. The distinctive works will be focused on the history and folklore of the eagles as a part of Alaska’s local habitat and cultural relevance.
Following the bazaar at 6 p.m., the eagle foundation will present ‘Bird Talk’ which will provide a unique forum for the community to express in poetry, song, and dance what the significance of the eagles is to them.
Friday
Friday will feature a guided natural history tour through the preserve which will explore the history, habitat, and characteristics of the birds in their natural environment. For anyone in need of transport the Haines Shuttle will provide free service to the preserve at 12:30 p.m. and return service at 3 p.m.
Saturday
The festival wraps up with the release of eagles into the wild. The Bird Treatment and Learning Center (Bird TLC), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to rehabilitate injured, ill, and orphaned wild birds from across the State of Alaska, will release two juvenile bald eagles at the preserve at 1 p.m.
The main event, which will be held at Harriet Hall, will host a banquet catered by Travis Kukull’s Malo Nista catering service and will include a beef brisket plate, a sockeye plate and a pasta option for vegetarians. Tickets are limited. The banquet will feature a raffle drawing. Tickets are available through Sunday and can be purchased at the eagle foundation. Prizes include baskets from the Haines Sheldon Museum, The Bookstore, two eagle-themed baskets from the ABEF gift shop, and a Whitehorse trip basket which includes: hotel accommodation, hot spring entrance and tickets to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. The Yukon Wildlife Preserve will also offer an eagle-themed basket as a separate prize.
Live music will be provided at the banquet by Jojo Goerner, a local musician also playing throughout the festival.