Reelfoot Lake Eagle Festival and Tours

The 7th annual Reelfoot Lake Eagle Festival is set for Feb. 4-6 this year, and will celebrate one of the largest wintering populations of bald eagles outside of Alaska. The Eagle Festival offers a wide range of opportunities for Reelfoot Lake visitors to see these magnificent birds in the wild. Guided van and bus tours will be offered for $5 per person, leaving twice daily from the Reelfoot Lake State Park Visitor Center.

Local park and wildlife experts will also present several unique programs throughout the three-day event, offering something for all ages including walking tours, interpretive sessions, an art and photography contest, storytelling, a silent auction and several arts and crafts vendors. The Saturday evening program on Feb. 5 will feature John Stokes and his live Birds of Prey program, giving the audience a rare up-close look. Other displays and live birds of prey will be present throughout the weekend.

Bald eagle and waterfowl tours, along with several educational lectures, will continue at the park through February 28th.

“The return of the American Bald Eagles to Reelfoot Lake has become one of the most exciting winter events in Tennessee,” Reelfoot Lake State Park Manager James Cox said.

Designated as a national natural landmark, Reelfoot Lake was created during a series of violent earthquakes in northwest Tennessee during the winter of 1811-1812. Eyewitness accounts from that time stated that the Mississippi River actually flowed backwards for 10–24 hours to create the lake!

For more information on the Eagle Festival, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com