Photographers take pictures of eagles feeding on salmon in the Chilkat River. (Emily Files)
Eagles flocked to the Chilkat River near Haines and Klukwan in great numbers this year. But the number of human visitors coming to see them was way down.
According to American Bald Eagle Foundation Executive Director Cheryl McRoberts, 99 people registered for the weeklong event this year. She says typically the festival sees over 300 guests.
McRoberts attributes some of the decline in visitors to the limited restaurant options in Haines this time of year.
The early November gathering happens just after the summer tourism season winds down, and several restaurants have closed for the winter.
The festival centers around eagle viewing and photography on the Chilkat River. It also features events like natural history talks, a banquet and auction, and the release of rehabilitated eagles.
Despite low numbers, McRoberts says the foundation still made a profit, grossing over $19,000. She says she’s grateful for the businesses that remained open during the event.
I listen to KHNS daily and never once did I hear about the Bald Eagle Festival. Not only does this event deserve better advertising, but needs more coverage by our local radio station as well.
I had to go online and do a search for the Festival to even know what the dates were this year.
Somebody is dropping the ball, or are we as the Northern Lynn Canal community relying too much on our past performance to carry us through ? The Bald Eagle Festival and its Foundation members might consider stepping up the publicity IF you want more people to participate.
The people signing up for the festival don’t know that there are restaurants closed. The chamber ran the festival for nine years and always had $5 to &7K to put into the next year’s advertising budget. How much money does the festival bring in? What goes to advertizing?