Eagles and Ice 2025
Saturday, Jan. 18 — Ice Carving & Eagle Watching
Sunday, Jan. 19 — Live Presentations, Ice Carving, & Eagle Watching
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 3rd Annual LeClaire Eagle Festival, featuring ice carving and eagle watching Saturday, Jan. 18, and presentations by Midwestern eagle experts, activities for kids, vendor tables, and additional ice carvings on Sunday, Jan. 19.
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! 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.
2025 Schedule of Events
Saturday Events – January 18, 2025
- Rob Storm will carve three 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.
- Eagle watching along the Mississippi River.
Sunday Events – January 19, 2025
Sunday educational events will be held from 11 am to 4 pm at the Celebration Center located at 229 N. Cody Road in LeClaire.
The ice carving on Sunday will take place near EVI – Electric Vehicles of Iowa, 538 N. Cody Road.
Event Schedule (subject to change)
- 10:50 am – Doors Open to the Public, Vendor Tables, Kids’ Activities, Hot Cocoa Bar
- 11:00 am to 4:00 pm – Eagle watching on the rooftop patio of the Celebration Center
- 11:00 am – The World Bird Sanctuary presentation with live eagles.
- Noon – Storytelling with internationally acclaimed author Brian “Fox” Ellis
- 12:30 pm -“That’s Wild with Gary Metivier” wildlife presentation
- 1:30 pm – Ty Smedes Presentation of “The Life of Iowa’s Bald Eagles”
- 2:30 pm – The World Bird Sanctuary presentation with live eagles.
- 3:15 pm – Storytelling with internationally acclaimed author Brian “Fox” Ellis
Event Overview
- The St. Louis-based World Bird Sanctuary will host two presentations with live eagles. The World Bird Sanctuary has treated more than 21,000 injured birds and has helped organize conservation efforts on four continents.
- Author Gary Metivier will be in attendance to share stories from his and photographer Jay Wolf’s book “If I Could Fly” and will sign their books.
- Photographer Ty Smedes will host a presentation with slides and information offering an often-unseen look at the lives of Iowa’s bald eagle population, from fishing to building nests and much more! Find out how researchers track eagles’ movements and where the eagles come from. Second editions of Smedes’ book, “The Return of Iowa’s Bald Eagles,” will be available for sale and can be signed by the author.
- Internationally acclaimed author and storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis will share stories about bald eagles, bringing along a spotting scope and books for sale.
- Rob Storm will carve three more ice sculptures. Once the sculptures are complete, they will be moved around to various locations for viewing.
- 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.
Visit Our Event Vendors
Sunday, Jan. 19 from 11 am to 4 pm
- Fox Tales International
- Gary Metivier
- Ty Smedes
- World Bird Sanctuary
- Steve Malmberg – Local Wildlife Photographer
- Buffalo Bill Museum
Sharing information on the Museum and selling souvenir eagle merchandise. - LeClaire Community Library
Providing fun and educational kids’ activities throughout the day. - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the rooftop.
More to See & Do
Make a weekend of your eagle excursion! LeClaire has many great lodging options on the banks of the Mississippi River along with wonderful restaurants, shops, and Libations Lane. Plan your trip today!
