Ohio Bird Sanctuary Fall Festival to feature bald eagle release

LEXINGTON — A rehabilitated bald eagle will take flight Saturday at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary.

The release will give visitors a chance to watch a bird return to the wild during the sanctuary’s annual Fall Festival.

The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 10 at 3774 Orweiler Rd.

Admission costs $20 per vehicle, so families can fill a car and attend together. Everything inside the festival comes with admission except food, and visitors do not need to preregister.

Executive Director Julie Schwartz said the festival will feature many of the activities visitors have come to enjoy, along with some new features.

“We will have food trucks, live bird shows and keeper talks every hour, games and crafts, and raffle items,” Schwartz said. “But the most exciting thing is that we will be releasing a bald eagle that we rehabilitated in our Avian Hospital at 11 a.m.”

The festival also will feature bird encounters, crafts, games, s’mores and a bonfire. Food trucks will be available throughout the event.

Festival brings families back to the sanctuary

The sanctuary’s website describes the Fall Festival as its most popular seasonal event.

Schwartz previously said the Fall Festival has become a beloved community tradition that encourages families to spend time outdoors, enjoy nature and see what’s new at the sanctuary.

She previously said providing a way for families to enjoy the outdoors is the greatest thing the sanctuary can offer to the community.

The Ohio Bird Sanctuary is a non-profit nature preserve and living museum focused on native-bird rehabilitation and public education, according to its website. It provides care for injured and orphaned native birds and works to release them back into the wild when possible.