On Sunday, Jan. 11, the New Jersey Meadowlands Eagle Festival will be taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The celebration of our country’s national animal is set to return to the Meadowlands Environment Center at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, where the event was hosted last year.
The event is free and meant to celebrate the beauty of the bald eagle and the Meadowlands’ landscape. Brought to existence by the Bergen County Audubon Society and the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority (NJSEA), the festival features a variety of fun activities for all ages.
The festivities kick off at 10:15 a.m., with an eagle watch walk, where participants can take in the scenic views of the Meadowlands and scour for bald eagles. At 11:15 a.m., there will be the Frank Chapman & Conservation Awards Presentation located in the auditorium. The awards presentation will feature special guests Tina Morris, author of “Return to the Sky”, as well as Kevin Karlson, an author, photographer and professional tour guide.
At 12 p.m., Don Torino, the president of the Bergen County Audubon Society, will be giving a presentation titled “The True Story of Al and Alice – The Bald Eagles” in the auditorium. The presentation will be followed by another eagle watch walk at 12:45 p.m., to give guests another opportunity to take in the beautiful scenery.
The final presentation will be at 1 p.m. by wildlife photographer Mathew Malwitz, titled “How to Photograph Raptors”. There are plenty of other activities taking place throughout the event to keep guests entertained, especially children. There will be educational children’s activities and children are urged to make their best eagle artwork and bring it to the festival.
There will also be information tables and a Native American education table at the event. The festival offers a day of fun for everyone, while taking in the nature and scenery of the Meadowlands.