LECLAIRE – After a two-year hiatus fueled by COVID-19, an eagle-inspired celebration is returning this weekend to the City of LeClaire.
Thanks to help from an Iowa Tourism Grant, the LeClaire Tourism Office and the city will host its inaugural LeClaire Eagle Festival, sponsored by the Riverboat Twilight, from 1-4 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 21-22, at locations downtown. The event will include two days of activities, educational programs and, of course, the opportunity to see the magnificent birds of prey as they fly over the Mississippi River valley.
“The LeClaire Eagle Festival is a celebration of the incredible, natural beauty of our river town as well as the opportunity to learn about these amazing birds,” said LeClaire Tourism Manager Cindy Bruhn. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for both nature enthusiasts and those who have never seen these incredible animals in the wild, as well as the scenic vistas they call home.”
The schedule includes:
Saturday – Historic Cody Road will host ice sculptor Rob Storm, who will create breathtaking works of art from 1-4 p.m. at the Mississippi River Distilling Co. Once completed, the sculptures will be relocated to other businesses and locations and lit up.
Visitors also are encouraged to watch eagles from a number of downtown, riverfront vistas.
Sunday – The Celebration Center, 229 N. Cody Road, will host multiple eagle presentations 11 a.m.-4 p.m. A hot cocoa bar will be sponsored by Blackhawk Bank & Trust.
- Mr. Storm will continue his ice sculpting 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Wide River Winery.
- At 11 a.m., internationally acclaimed author and storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis will present a story about bald eagles, bringing along a spotting scope and books for sale.
- At noon and 2 p.m., the St. Louis-based World Bird Sanctuary will host two presentations with live eagles. The World Bird Sanctuary has treated more than 21,000 injured birds and has helped organize conservation efforts on four continents.
- 1 p.m. — Photographer Ty Smedes will give a lecture that offers an often-unseen look at the lives of Iowa’s bald eagle population, from fishing to building nests and much more. Find out how researchers track eagles’ movements and where the eagles come from. Second editions of Mr. Smedes’ book, “The Return of Iowa’s Bald Eagles,” will be available for sale and can be signed by the author.
- 3 p.m. — Representatives from Living Lands & Waters will talk about the importance of the protection and preservation of the environment along the Mississippi River and how humans can help create a more hospitable habitat for bald eagles and other migratory birds.
- The LeClaire Community Library and LeClaire Parks & Recreation also will offer organized activities for children.
- A spotting scope will be available at the Celebration Center rooftop patio, allowing an up-close look at soaring eagles without disturbing them.
Visitors also will find a number of local businesses hosting related events, activities and displays.
Ms. Bruhn said the expanded event schedule comes, in part, thanks to the $10,000 tourism grant that helped boost the advertising budget, as well as the sponsorship match by The Twilight in LeClaire.
The city has received a state tourism grant – from the Iowa Tourism Office and Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) two of the past three years, she said. The state program funds tourism-related marketing initiatives, meetings and events to both local and the state economies. Awards range from $2,500 to $10,000 and require a 25% match.
The city also is collaborating with groups and topical experts such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chad Pregracke of Living Lands & Waters, and Celebration Center owners Ryan and Garrett Burchett. In addition to Riverboat Twilight, event sponsors include: Holiday Inn Express; Bobby Ray Bunch – Ruhl & Ruhl; Mississippi River Distilling Co. Celebration Center; Ty Smedes Nature Photography; Fox Tales International; Bela; Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream; the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce; First Central State Bank; Antique Archaeology; Living Lands & Waters; Wide River Winery; and Blackhawk Bank & Trust.
For more information, visit LeClaire’s website here.
“The thriving bald eagle population in LeClaire is a miracle considering these animals were once on the brink of extinction,” said Mr. Smedes. “To see the number of eagles in the lower 48 explode over the last couple of decades speaks volumes to the hard work and dedication of conservation groups across the nation.”
Ms. Bruhn said the event also is a chance to visit historic downtown LeClaire’s shops, restaurants and establishments. “This will provide a lot of January exposure, which we normally don’t get,” she said, adding that the milder weather has been a huge benefit. “I’m almost shocked at how many cars you see on the street on the weekends – we’re pleasantly surprised at the crowds.”
