FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February, 15 2023
National Eagle Center Announces Return of SOAR with the Eagles Festival
New festival format to include spring, summer, and fall events
Wabasha, MN – There is good news for eagle enthusiasts – the National Eagle Center’s popular SOAR with the Eagles festival is returning this spring as part of a new festival format. The Center will host three SOAR events throughout the year: the “Spring Hatch”, “Summer Splash”, and “Fall Flight”.
“SOAR is a very popular event for the Center and Wabasha,” said Ed Hahn, Director of Marketing and Communications at the National Eagle Center. “After disruptions caused by COVID in 2020 and 2021 and last year’s Phase One renovation project, we’re excited to bring SOAR back in a whole new way that will allow people to SOAR with the Eagles throughout the year.”
The Spring Hatch event will take place the weekend of March 31-April 2 and feature some festival staples along with introducing exciting new eagle experiences for guests, including the first outdoor eagle programs using the brand new riverfront amphitheater.
“SOAR has traditionally been associated with viewing spring Bald Eagle migration along the river during March,” said Hahn. “We host special exotic bird shows along with our own eagle programs and invite other nature organizations and cultural exhibitors to interact with and educate attendees. This year, in addition to those elements, we’re also going to offer guided eagle viewing field trips and special behind the scenes tours of the new state-of-the-art avian care facilities where we train and care for the eagle ambassadors.”
The Center’s longtime partner and feature presenter, World Bird Sanctuary, is bringing a Harpy Eagle, Harris Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Spectacled Owl and Peregrine Falcon to share with guests during exciting educational programs. Those programs will take place on Saturday and Sunday.
Special exhibitors will also on-site during the weekend including the International Wolf Center, North American Bear Center, and Native American exhibitors including Inkpa Mani who created the Center’s beautiful buffalo hide painting on display in the Center’s Cultural Connection Gallery, and Jalaya Whitecloud who will demonstrate traditional beadwork. Guests will also be able to speak with collector Preston Cook in the American Eagle Gallery, home to the world-class Preston Cook Collection of artistic, cultural, and historical eagle artifacts.
Family and children’s activities will include a children’s drawing contest, a button-making station where guests can make a button featuring their favorite ambassador, and a 50/50 raffle.
Standard admission prices will apply during the festival: $12 for adults and $10 for youth (4-16). Children ages 3 and under and National Eagle Center members enjoy FREE admission. All program seats will cost $3. The premium field trip and behind the scenes experiences will cost $75 per person in addition to admission. Capacity for those experiences is limited.
The SOAR: Summer Splash event is scheduled for June and SOAR: Fall Flight is scheduled for September.
Partnership opportunities are available. Interested organizations should contact marketing@nationaleaglecenter.org.
For additional details about SOAR with the Eagles: Spring Hatch, please visit nationaleaglecenter.org/soar, email info@nationaleaglecenter.org or call 651.565.4989.
The National Eagle Center is a world-class museum located in Wabasha, MN. It is the world’s premier resource for impactful eagle education and experiences and offers wild eagle viewing, up-close eagle experiences, daily programs, and the Preston Cook American Eagle Collection. For more information about the National Eagle Center, visit nationaleaglecenter.org or call 651.565.4989. The National Eagle Center is an equal opportunity provider.
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