Annual celebration in honor of Eagle Day set for March

Eagle lovers unite: It’s time for the 22nd annual Eagle Day. On Saturday, March 6, the public is invited to a day full of free, family friendly activities celebrating the country’s national symbol. Central College in Pella will host the indoor activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Get an up-close look at a live bald eagle and other raptors. Eagle shows will be presented hourly from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Central’s Douwstra Auditorium. Staff from the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center will share amazing details about how these birds “make a living.” After that, more live birds will be on display at Graham Conference Center as the Iowa State University’s Wildlife Care Clinic offers raptor shows at 1 and 3 p.m. Other event highlights include the Pella Wildlife Company’s Adventure shows with live wolves and other animals, artist Bob Kroese’s lifelike wildfowl wood sculptures, incredible wildlife photography by Ron Huelse and an “environmental fair” including numerous environmental groups, agencies and other vendors.

After all the indoor fun, take the free shuttle to the Red Rock Dam and spot eagles fishing and flying in the wild. Event staff and volunteers will be on hand at the North Tailwater Recreation Area with spotting scopes throughout the event.  

The Red Rock Visitor Center, located on the south side of the Red Rock Dam, also will be open throughout the event. Volunteers will be there to answer questions about the lake area and help attendees plan future visits.

Admission to Bald Eagle Day is free of charge, and no reservations are needed. The event is presented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Marion County Conservation Board, Pella Wildlife Company, Central College, Pella Convention and Visitors Bureau, Red Rock Lake Association, Pella Rolscreen Foundation and Vermeer Charitable Foundation.

For more information, contact Tracy Spry at (641) 828-7522 or (641) 628-8690 or visit Lake Red Rock’s Web site at www.lakeredrock.org.