National Eagle Center announces return of ‘SOAR with the Eagles’ festival

(ABC 6 News) – There is good news for eagle enthusiasts – the National Eagle Center’s popular ‘SOAR with the Eagles’ festival is returning to Wabasha 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 Mar. 31 to Apr. 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.

The World Bird Sanctuary is bringing a Harpy Eagle, Harris Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Spectacled Owl and Peregrine Falcon to share with guests.

Special exhibitors will also be 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.

Family and children’s activities will include a children’s drawing contest, a button-making station, and a 50/50 raffle.

Admission prices are $12 for adults, and $10 for youth (ages 4 to 16). Children ages 3 and under and National Eagle Center members are FREE. 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.

Meanwhile, the SOAR “Summer Splash” event is scheduled for June and SOAR “Fall Flight” is scheduled for September.

For more information, CLICK HERE.