January 17th & 18th
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Every winter, majestic bald eagles make LeClaire their winter home, soaring through the skies high above the Mississippi River. Catch a glimpse of these magnificent birds of prey during the 4^th Annual LeClaire Eagle Fest Saturday, Jan. 17 and Sunday, Jan. 18.

This free event offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see our incredible national symbol in its natural habitat while experiencing live eagle demonstrations and educational opportunities in the warm comfort of the Celebration Center (on Sunday, Jan. 18, only)! Spotting scopes on the Celebration Center rooftop patio will allow an up-close look without disturbing the eagles as they hunt for food. Other birds will be identified as well.

2026 Schedule of Events

Saturday Events – January 17, 2026

12:00 pm to 2:00 pm – Rob Storm will be carving ice sculptures at Aunt Hattie’s Fanciful Emporium, 102 S. Cody Road. Once the sculptures are complete, they will be moved around to various locations for viewing.
All day – Eagle watching along the Mississippi River. This is not a formal event.

Sunday Events – January 18, 2026

Sunday events will be held from 11 am to 3 pm at the Celebration Center, 229 N. Cody Road in LeClaire.

The ice carving on Sunday will take place at Mississippi River Distilling Company at 303 N. Cody Road in LeClaire.

Event Schedule (subject to change)

10:50 am – Doors Open to the Public, Vendor Tables, Kids’ Activities, Hot Cocoa Bar.
11:00 am – “That’s Wild with Gray Metivier” wildlife presentation.
11:30 am – St. Louis-based World Bird Sanctuary will host two presentations with four live raptors including a bald eagle. The World Bird Sanctuary has treated more than 21,000 injured birds and has helped organize conservation efforts on four continents.
12:00 pm – Internationally acclaimed author and storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis will emcee and present “The Legend of the Eagle.”
12:30 pm – Colin Shirk with The RARE Group will be presenting on their rehabilitation and conservation efforts, accompanied by two of their avian ambassadors: Denali, the Rough-legged Hawk, and Bog, the Barred Owl.
1:15 pm – Photographer Ty Smedes will present “Raptors of the Midwest” which shows beautiful flights shots and descriptions of all our owls, hawks, falcons, and bald eagles that live or migrate through the Midwest. Second editions of Smede’s book, The Return of Iowa’s Bald Eagles, will be available for sale and can be signed by the author.
2:00 pm – The St. Louis-based World Bird Sanctuary will host another presentation with four live raptors including a bald eagle.
2:30 pm – Internationally acclaimed author and storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis will finish out the day with one last Native American eagle story.
11:00 am to 3:00 pm – Eagle watching with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and their spotting scopes on the Celebration Center rooftop.
11:00 am to 3:00 pm – LeClaire Community Library will be on hand with organized activities for children.
11:00 am to 3:00 pm – Free hot cocoa sponsored by Blackhawk Bank & Trust while supplies last. Other beverages are available for purchase.

Event Overview

Storyteller and emcee Brian “Fox” Ellis will have his books for sale at his table. He will also have a spotting scope.
Colin Shirk with The RARE Group will be presenting on their rehabilitation and conservation efforts, accompanied by two of their avian ambassadors: Denali, the Rough-legged Hawk, and Bog, the Barred Owl. He will have an educational display, too.
Photographer Ty Smedes will have his books for sale at his table.
Journalist and presenter Gary Metivier will have his books to sign and for sale at his table.
Steve Malmberg, a local wildlife photographer, will have a table displaying some of his photos.
World Bird Sanctuary will host two presentations with live four raptors, including a bald eagle. You can have your photo taken with the raptors.
Rob Storm will carve three more ice sculptures at Mississippi River Distilling Company, 303 N. Cody Road. Once the sculptures are complete, they will be moved around to various locations for viewing.
Riverboat Twilight will be on hand with information to be given out.
LeClaire Community Library will be on hand with organized activities for children.
A Hot Cocoa Bar will be provided.
Eagle watching along the Mississippi River on the Celebration Center roof with birding experts on hand and spotting scopes courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.