Fly like an eagle to festival in Arlington

ARLINGTON – Look out for the eagles, and we don’t mean the ones from Philadelphia. The Seahawks already took care of them.

Eagles return this time of year to feed on salmon in the rivers and snow geese feeding in the agricultural fields in the floodplain.

Also returning is the Arlington Stillaguamish Eagle Festival Jan. 31-Feb. 1.

The event includes guided tours, an arts and photography show, speakers, demonstrations, live music, wagon rides and more.

Entries are sought for the eagle photography, nature art and nature haiku contests. Submit up to two haiku entries by Jan. 27 to www.arlingtonwa.gov/haiku or by mail to: City of Arlington, Recreation, 238 N Olympic Ave., Arlington, WA 98223. Top prize in each of three age groups is $50.

There’s a $5 cost to enter the eagle photo contest. Limit one per person; winner gets $200. There are two big winners in the nature art contest; each get $100. Ribbons are given to the top three in each of four categories. Cost is $5 per entry. Entries due between 1-6 p.m. Jan. 31.

The free Nature Art Show and Eagle Photo Contest will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 1 at Olympic Theater. Music will be at the Mirkwood the night before at 7:30. Extreme Chainsaw Sculpture event is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at Legion Park.

If you want an adventure there is paddle rafting on the Stillaguamish River at 10:30 a.m. both days. Meet at Haller Park. Cost is $60 for the three-hour, five-mile trip.

A free walk along the wetlands will take place from 9-10:30 a.m. that Saturday. Meet at Haller Park.

Nature exhibits and educational outreach will be at a new location – Haller Middle School gym, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be activities for kids and informational booths on local nature organizations such as: Sound Salmon Solutions, Pilchuck Audubon, PUD Bird Protection Program, Wolf Haven, Fish and Wildlife, Beach Watchers and more.

During those same hours at City Hall Sarvey Wildlife Care Center will by showing off its birds of prey that have been rescued but are unable to return to the wild.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at a location to be determined families can enjoy hands-on crafting, such as painting wooden eagles and salmon.

A Fiber Art Demonstration will be at Arlington United Church during those same hours. Textile artists will demonstrate their crafts.

A Rock and Gem Display will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at a site still to be determined. The movie “DUCKumentary” will be shown at 11 a.m., along with 12:10, 1:15 and 2:20 p.m. at Olympic Theater.

Also planned are: food vendors, draft horse wagon rides at City Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tractors and Old Time Machines on display at City Hall from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For details, go to www.arlingtonwa.gov/eaglefest or call Sarah Lopez at 360-403-3448.