Eagle Festival returns Feb. 4-5

Arlington’s Eagle Festival is scheduled to return to downtown Olympic Avenue this year on Feb. 4 and 5.

“We’re bringing back some of the traditional events for the Arlington Eagle Festival,” said Sarah Lopez, Arlington’s community engagement director.

The free festival brings nature exhibits and education to Arlington for local families.

“It’s centered on nature and learning about how to be more environmentally friendly, which is something a lot of families like,” said Lopez.

The festival celebrates the return of eagles to the Stillaguamish Valley.

“The eagles usually come back to Arlington in December and stay for a few months,” said Lopez.

The event started as a way to bring people into Arlington and has continued for many years as a local tradition.

“It started as a way to attract people to downtown Arlington when we were working on Olympic Avenue construction,” said Lopez.

Many of the usual events will return as part of this year’s festival.

“There will be chainsaw carvers in the downtown parking lot,” said Lopez.

Carvers will be at the Legion Park parking lot on Feb. 4 and Feb. 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The traditional art show and contests held by the Arlington Arts Council will be held at the Olympic Theater and Cafe on Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The theater is at 107 N. Olympic Ave., Arlington.

“The Sky Valley Tractor Club will display their tractors,” said Lopez and that display will be available on Feb. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A couple of food vendors will also be available throughout the day in the downtown area.

The Eagle Festival brochure lists some activities to take locals out into nature as well, including activities that cost money such as paddle rafting on the Stillaguamish River and free activities such as a bird identification walk hosted by Arlington Audubon.

“We’ve highlighted some other areas where you can see birds as well,” said Lopez.

Other new activities will also be a part of the festival.

“The chamber will be holding an event that is like a passport walk,” said Lopez.

Families can participate for $5 and go to different businesses to learn a variety of nature facts. Each business will give participants a stamp and kids can receive a stuffed animal from a completed passport.

“There will be a petting farm similar to the one that was at the Arlington Street Fair last summer,” said Lopez.

Last year, art painted on plywood canvasses was put up along the Centennial Trail for the festival, an activity that will continue this year.

Those who stop by Arlington City Hall can collect a piece of plywood, paint it on their own and then return it to City Hall by Feb. 1.

More information about this year’s Eagle Festival is available at arlingtonwa.gov/168.