Teatown Hudson River EagleFest, the annual festival celebrating the bald eagle’s winter migration to the Hudson River, will soar once again Feb. 8 (snow date is Feb. 9) at Croton Point Park.
This year’s celebration features expanded programming including presentations by the youngest falconer in Connecticut, Christine Peyreigne, and award-winning filmmaker Jon Bowermaster. Additionally, long-time favorites of the event –bird experts Bill Streeter, Brian Robinson and Brian Bradley – will make special presentations of their own.
EagleFest is hosted by Teatown, a nonprofit environmental education center and nature preserve.
“EagleFest stands out as a community event because it is fun, inspiring, and brings people of all ages together to share a very uplifting story – the comeback of the bald eagle from the brink of extinction,” said Kevin Carter, Teatown’s executive director. “The event’s collaborative spirit comes from an outpouring of positive energy and the participation of non-profit organizations, families, businesses, schools and government
Each year, thousands flock to Croton Point Park to see live bird-of-prey shows and demonstrations, and especially to see wild bald eagles and other birds of prey thriving in their natural habitat along the Hudson River. Bald eagles, once on the brink of extirpation due to chemicals like DDT, have rebounded as a result of federal and state protections, and can now be seen nesting and hunting along the river.
The region’s foremost raptor and environmental experts will lead bird-of-prey demonstrations and other nature-related workshops and presentations to guests of all ages. All the while, guests will be able to enjoy cuisine from a variety of food trucks situated outside the main tent. Guests are encouraged to dress for the weather, as food trucks and some educational activities, including wild eagle spotting and bird walks, will take place outdoors.
Teatown is also bringing back EagleFest bus tours. Travel by charter bus with a Teatown educator for an in-depth view of eagles in their habitat. Tours stop at the New Croton Dam, Verplanck Steamboat Riverfront Park, and George’s Island Park in Montrose. (Stops may change due to weather.)
Tour times are 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Bus tours are intended for guests ages 12 and older. Tickets are $35 per person and do not include admission to Eagle Headquarters. To sign up for the bus tours, call 914-762-2912, ext. 110.
EagleFest 2020 will be held at Croton Point Park, 1 Croton Point Ave., Croton-on-Hudson, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $22 for adults age 12 and older, $13 for children age 6 to 11, and free for children 5 and younger. Tickets sold at the venue on the day of the event will be $25, $15 and free.
To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit teatown.org/eaglefest.
