By Susan Monteleone
NARROWSBURG — January 7, 2003 – The Second Annual Eaglefest has been set.
The new event has been slated for Saturday, January 18, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event is a celebration of the return of the bald eagle to the area. It is being sponsored by the Narrowsburg Chamber of Commerce and Nature’s Art, along with the help of many community volunteers.
Currently the Upper Delaware Catskill region is home to 150 bald eagles from January until March. The eagles migrate to the area from Canada and other northern points for the open water and the fresh fish that are available in the area.
At the end of winter, the eagles return to their nests and breeding habitats. However, in recent years, more of the eagles have decided to stay in the area and are using the same nest year after year. There are currently 60 eagle nests in New York and Pennsylvania.
The Second Annual Eaglefest celebration will begin at 10 a.m. with an “Opening Ceremonial Dance,” by the Lenni Lenape Native American and Festival Dedication at the Narrowsburg School Auditorium. Afterward, “Live Birds of Prey,” will be presented by Bill Streeter of the Delaware Valley Raptor Center with a $1 donation.
Other events set for the day include:
Noon: Migration Headaches, a children's program by Lori McKean of the Eagle Institute in the Narrowsburg school cafeteria.
Noon: A movie, “American Bald Eagle Heritage on Wings,” by Rob Lasky and Steve Tanczyn, will be shown in the Narrowsburg Firehouse.
1 p.m.: Another Presentation of “Live Birds of Prey” in the school auditorium.
1 p.m.: “Regional Bio Diversity, the Impact on Wildlife” by Steve Joule of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Lori McKean of the Eagle Institute.
1:30 p.m.: A movie, “American Bald Eagle Heritage on Wings,” by Rob Lasky and Steve Tanczyn, will be shown in the Narrowsburg Firehouse.
2 p.m.: “Bald Eagle Returns, Conservation Efforts in the Tri-State Area,” a panel discussion hosted by Ric Urban, Wildlife Conservation Society with speakers Larry Niles, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; Dan Brauning, PA Game Commission; and Tom Cullen, NYC Parks, at the Tusten Theater.
3 p.m.: “Bald Eagle in New York State,” slide presentation and photos by Gene Weinstein at the Tusten Town Hall.
4 p.m.: Poster Auction Final Silent Bid, poster pickup.
Ongoing events include a Eagle Viewing assisted by Eagle Institute volunteers and a Poster Auction viewing and silent bidding.
During the day, eagle posters by local artists will be on display at the River Gallery on Main Street. The Delaware Valley Arts Gallery will be hosting “A Time for the Eagle,” by John A. DiGiorgio.
“Rattlesnakes,” a wildlife conservation program, will be held by Randy Stechert, NY DEC and NJ DEP, and also an ice-carving event and wood carving event will be taking place, with horse-drawn hay rides.
For more information, call Chamber of Commerce President John Grund at 252-7409 or Nature’s Art LLC at 252-6509 or visit the Web site at www.narrowsburg.org. The Eaglefest will be held snow or shine.