ARLINGTON — The ninth annual Arlington-Stillaguamish Eagle Festival lands in town this Friday and Saturday, with animal talks, bird walks and river rafting.
Organizers have added some new things this year, including fair-style food vendors on Olympic Avenue and a presentation about the local implications of a changing climate.
Fan favorites are returning. The Country Carvers chainsaw carving show is on the schedule, as are bird watching trips by land and by water.
“It’s all happening, rain or shine,” said Sarah Lopez, Arlington’s recreation manager. “A lot of stuff is inside and the die-hards can do the outdoor activities.”
Last year, Darrington and Arlington put on a joint Stillaguamish Eagle Festival, with activities in both towns. Darrington isn’t hosting events this year, Lopez said. However, some Darrington adventure experts are coming to Arlington. Adventure Cascades plans to lead two rafting trips Saturday along the Stillaguamish River where it flows through Arlington. They charge $30 per person. Longer rafting trips are planned Friday with Arlington’s North Cascades River Expeditions, and those cost $60. The trips take advantage of a new boat ramp installed at Haller Park a few months ago.
For those who prefer pacing over paddling, two bird-watching walks are planned during the Eagle Festival.
Longtime bird watcher Virginia Clark and Bill Blake, the city’s natural resources manager, plan to lead an hour-long tour through Country Charm Park, 604 E. Gilman. On the walk, they will explain about bird habitats along the Stillaguamish River and how to recognize different song birds. Participants should meet at 9 a.m. Saturday at the park.
Another bird walk is planned from 10 a.m. to noon at the Port Susan Bay Nature Conservancy, at the end of Boe Road in Stanwood. There will be chances to use binoculars and spotting scopes to get close-up looks at eagles and other birds.
Several events and presentations are planned in downtown Arlington. The Country Carvers show runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Legion Park. A dozen chainsaw carvers plan to showcase their skill. There also will be an ice sculpting demonstration, a new addition this year, Lopez said.
An art show at Magnolia Hall, 225 E. Third St., includes contests for best eagle photos, nature artwork and haikus. Photos and art can be submitted between noon and 6 p.m. Friday. Artists plan to display their work and demonstrate their crafts from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Sarvey Wildlife Center, a regular guest at the Eagle Festival, is hosting an open house from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday in the City Council chambers near the corner of Third Street and Olympic Avenue. People can get within an arm’s length of a bald eagle and other birds of prey. At City Hall, the Stillaguamish Tribe Natural Resources Department plans to teach guests about beavers and salmon.
People also are invited to talk about climate change and what it could mean for the Stillaguamish River and the land around it. Intense flooding and severe rainstorms are some of the topics the discussion is expected to touch on. It starts at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Olympic Theater, 107 N. Olympic Ave. The theater also is showing a nature documentary about beavers at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. A salmon-themed obstacle course is going to be set up in Legion Park, and tractors and equipment are to be on display outside City Hall. Kids can do crafts at Arlington United Church. The Mirkwood and Shire Cafe has live music Friday and Saturday nights, and the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Horse drawn wagon rides will be free downtown, where local shop owners plan to offer special deals for the eagle festival.
For more information, including a full event schedule and maps, go to arlingtonwa.gov/eaglefest.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
