LECLAIRE, Iowa – The fourth annual LeClaire Eagle Fest will be held Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 17-18.
This educational event, sponsored in part by the Riverboat Twilight, has free admission and invites visitors to spot bald eagles in their natural habitat above the Mississippi River.
“We are thrilled with the success of the first three years of the new LeClaire Eagle Fest. Both the turnout and the feedback far exceeded our expectations,” said LeClaire Tourism Manager Cindy Bruhn. “This year’s event promises the same opportunities for the general public to witness live bald eagles – once a rarity in this part of the country – and appreciate the natural grandeur of the Upper Mississippi River Valley.”
According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, bald eagles typically migrate south from northern portions of North America to the Midwest in search of food, visiting this Midwest area from December to March. With an unmistakable plumage and a majestic wingspan, these iconic animals provide an extraordinary bird watching opportunity.
The LeClaire Eagle Fest will provide visitors with an unparalleled glimpse of how these birds of prey live in the wild.
“To see so many people fascinated with these incredible animals is extremely heartening, given the bald eagle’s history as a critically endangered species,” said wildlife photographer Ty Smedes, whose work has documented the bald eagle population’s rebound since conservation efforts in the 20th century.
“This renewed interest shows the public is vested in protecting bald eagles and seeing our national symbol flourish in their own backyard,” he added. “I’m honored and privileged to be involved with this amazing event for the second straight year and help spread awareness of our impact on the natural world.”
2026 lineup
Back this year is a presentation by Gary Metivier. Mr. Metivier is an award-winning author of several children’s books and adult nonfiction books. He has also won several awards for his storytelling as a journalist and on his YouTube channel “The Heart of the Story with Gary Metivier.” He will be presenting and signing the book he produced with Jay Wolf.
The two-day eagle extravaganza begins Saturday as Cody Road hosts ice sculptor Rob Storm, who will create three breath-taking works of art from noon to 2 p.m. at Aunt Hattie’s Fanciful Emporium,102 S. Cody Road, for display at local businesses. On Sunday, the Celebration Center, 229 N. Cody Road, will host multiple eagle presentations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. along with a free hot cocoa bar sponsored by Blackhawk Bank & Trust.
The Sunday schedule will include more ice sculpting by Rob Storm from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m next door to the Celebration Center on the Mississippi River Distilling Company’s patio.
Sunday’s other events will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, at the Celebration Center.
Other events include:
- 10:50 a.m. – Doors open to the public; vendors and kids’ activities; hot cocoa bar.
- 11 a.m. – “That’s Wild with Gary Metivier” wildlife presentation.
- 11:30 a.m. – St. Louis-based World Bird Sanctuary will host two presentations with four live raptors including a bald eagle. The sanctuary has treated more than 21,000 injured birds and organized conservation efforts on four continents.
- Noon – Internationally acclaimed author and storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis will emcee and present “The Legend of the Eagle.”
- 12:30 p.m. – Colin Shirk with The RARE Group will discuss its rehabilitation and conservation efforts, accompanied by two avian ambassadors: Denali, the Rough-legged Hawk, and Bog, the Barred Owl.
- 1:15 p.m. – Photographer Ty Smedes will present “Raptors of the Midwest” which shows beautiful flight shots and descriptions of various birds that live or migrate through the Midwest. Second editions his book “The Return of Iowa’s Bald Eagles” will be available for sale and can be signed.
- 2 p.m. – World Bird Sanctuary presentation with four live raptors including a bald eagle.
- 2:30 p.m. – Brian “Fox” Ellis with one last Native American eagle story.
Other sponsors include: First Central State Bank, Mississippi River Distilling Co., and Holiday Inn Express is the lodging sponsor.
