Eagle Day Festival

Eagle Day Festival

• Location: ISM Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown
• Date: Saturday, February 04, 2017, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

The Emiquon Partners and local agencies are pleased to host this popular event.

Eagle Day Gives Bird’s Eye View of American Icon with Live Birds of Prey

Communities, conservation, research and animal groups plan day-long festivities 

*LEWISTOWN, IL --* Family-friendly Eagle Day events are planned at various locations throughout the day in Fulton and Mason County on, Saturday February 4, 2017.  Admission is free at all of the events.

*Havana, IL:*  World Bird Sanctuary presents “Raptor Awareness,” at the Havana Park District Gym, 127 E. Jefferson Street.  Several birds of prey will be on display during the live raptor shows at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Admission is free.   Children’s activities and exhibits will be available from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Visit the Havana Nature Center, 416 ½ N. Schrader St., for great river views of eagles with the Emiquon Audubon Society, exhibits, food, and activities for families will be available.

*The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve:*   See eagles at the Emiquon Preserve Visitor Use Observatories where spotting scopes will be provided for eagle and bird watching along with hot cocoa, a warming station and displays.  Additionally, the University of Illinois-Springfield’s Therkildsen Field Station Emiquon will provide a microscopic viewing station of Emiquon.  There is an option for winter hiking and cross-country skiing if conditions allow.  Events will be from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (weather permitting).  Activities and parking will be at the Lakeside Observatory located directly off State Route 78/97.  For additional information call 309-547-2730.

*Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge:*   Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge will open the auto tour route to allow visitors to observe bald eagles and other winter wildlife.  The auto tour route will begin at Eagle Bluff Public Access Area and proceed around the South Pool, ending at the refuge headquarters (approximately 7 miles).  Speed limit is 15 miles per hour with no passing or parking allowed except in designated pull off areas along the route. Visitors are encouraged to stop at the refuge headquarters to enjoy refreshments and meet with staff at the conclusion of the tour.  In the event of ice or snow accumulation, the refuge will be forced to close their portion of this event.  For additional information call 309-535-2290.

*Lewistown, IL:*  This year’s festivities include the Lewistown Visitor Center, 222 S. Main St., from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. where Wildlife Prairie Park will exhibit live Birds of Prey providing visitors an opportunity to see a variety of birds such as hawks, eagles, and owls.  For additional information call 309-547-4300.

*Dickson Mounds Museum:*   Visitors from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. may learn about Illinois wild mammals through tracks, fur, bones, and scat.  Kids may also enjoy hands-on crafts to take home.   Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.  The Illinois State Museum-Dickson Mounds is located between Lewistown and Havana off Illinois Routes 78 and 97.  The museum is
open free to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.  For additional information call 309-547-3721.

This event is presented by:  City of Havana, City of Lewistown, Illinois State Museum-Dickson Mounds Museum, Forbes Biological Station, Havana Octoberfest Committee, Havana Park District, Illinois River Biological Station, Lewistown Chamber of Commerce, Mason County Arts Council, The Nature Conservancy, University of Illinois- Springfield Therkildsen Field Station, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.