NEAH BAY — The third annual festival celebrating eagles is planned at the Makah Marina on Saturday, April 23.
The festival, set from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is timed to be at the height of the eagle mating season.
Eagles congregate in the area in April, said Meri Parker, president of the Neah Bay Chamber of Commerce, and the festival will include traditional eagle-inspired art, artist demonstrations and a lecture on the habits of eagles.
“The festival is a celebration of the eagle’s grand presence at Neah Bay,” Parker said. “At this time of year, they can be spotted perched in the treetops, engaged in daring aerodynamic courtship and mating rituals, feeding on fish scraps, sitting atop poles on fishing boats or simply soaring overhead.”
At least a couple of dozen mated pairs live at Neah Bay, and many more migrate through the area, Parker said.
After viewing and photographing eagles while nibbling on Indian tacos at the Makah Marina on Bayview Avenue, visitors can wander into the marina’s conference center and stroll among Makah artists as they demonstrate and exhibit traditional tribal art forms such as basket-weaving, drum-making and carving.
A variety of vendors will be on site offering interesting items for sale.
Eagle lecture
At 1 p.m., Rob McCoy, Makah wildlife biologist, will talk about the biology of eagles and facts about the eagles that live in Neah Bay.
He will speak at the Makah Cultural and Research Center, just off Bayview as visitors enter town. Admission is free to the lecture.
To visit the exhibits at the museum, visitors must pay an admission of $5 for the general public and $4 for seniors and students.
The eagle festival is scheduled to coincide with Washington CoastSavers’ annual beach cleanup, which draws volunteers from around the state to Neah Bay and other cities on the coast.
“Admission to the Makah Museum is free to beach cleaners during the festival,” Parker said. “This is one way that the tribe can express its appreciation to the folks who care so passionately about the environment and commit the day to driving to Neah Bay and picking up the debris that washes ashore.”
To reserve a vendor or demonstration table or for additional information about the festival, phone Vicky Druge, eagle festival coordinator, at 360-640-2430.
For more information about the beach cleanup, visit www.coastsavers.org.
