LAKE OZARK, Mo. - Only one thing draws thousands of spectators to Lake of the Ozarks in the dead of winter to experience the majestic outdoors environment of America's symbol - the bald eagle.
On Jan. 4-5, Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days 2014 will entertain and educate visitors of all ages in spotting a variety of eagles in their natural habitat, learning and seeing these birds and others up close and engaging in a variety of activities, events and contests as part of the two-day annual celebration in Lake Ozark.
"This family-friendly free event in the first quarter is not only a boost to area businesses that time of year, but also it gives families something to get out and do together and maybe learn a little bit along the way about our beautiful area," said Michelle Cook, Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days committee member.
Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days 2014 is a collective partnership with the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau, Missouri Master Naturalist Ozarks chapter, Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, lakeoftheozarksradio.com, Country Club Hotel and Spa and Osage National Golf Resort. One of the event's highlights includes live eagles from the World Bird Sanctuary with naturalists on hand to answer questions at Osage National Golf Resort. The programs will begin on the hour each day of the event. Additional programs have been added and will be held at Country Club Hotel & Spa along with complementary businesses, organizations and agencies on hand with information and displays, according to Cook.
Returning this year from Dickerson Park Zoo is the popular Owls of Missouri program, which boasts at least three of the four owl species indigenous to Missouri on hand - the screech owl, barred owl and great-horned owl. Cook said a new program has been added - Day Shift, Night Shift and Garbage Gal programs. Hawks, turkey vultures and owls are featured in this presentation, with two shows rotating hourly.
Along with the presentations, guests will find a wood-carving exhibition and live animal viewing from Funny Farm Petting Zoo. Face painting, Missouri State Parks Department, with others will also be at Country Club Hotel to complete the fun-filled, family event, Cook said.
Boy Scouts will also be at Country Club with activities, but they will also interact with visitors below Bagnell Dam at the Osage River Access point along with the Master Naturalist Chapter of Lake of the Ozarks. In addition to pointing out wild eagles in their natural habitat and great viewing opportunities, offering hot chocolate and literature, the Boy Scouts will be constructing bald eagles' nests using the readily available, dry nesting materials in the lake area, according to Cook.
This ongoing process will take place both days, Saturday and Sunday, at the River Dam Access site where visitors can view the nests and actually become part of the nest-building process. In addition, the Scouts will be demonstrating Dutch-oven cooking with the products available for purchase, s'mores kits to cook over the burn barrels and rope-making lessons.
Wild Eagle viewing opportunities are available at Willmore Lodge, which includes scopes provided by the Lake of the Ozarks Astronomy Club. Eagle watch cruises (weather permitting) will be offered by the Paddlewheeler Tom Sawyer on Saturday and Sunday on the half hour for $5 per person. Visitors are urged to bring binoculars and cameras for optimal viewing opportunities, Cook said.
"Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days is in its fifth year as a stand-alone event, completely funded by the community through donations and sponsorships, and the committee felt it was important to continue to grow the event and bring new components to it so people will want to attend, experiencing something new along with the favorites they come back for year after year," said Tim Jacobsen, Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau executive director, in a news release.
The event is held from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday. The committee is still in need of donations, and sponsorships are available for businesses for families and individuals to continue the event.
For information about Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days, visit www.lakeoftheozarkseagledays.com.