The 2024 American Bald Eagle commemorative BirdFest & Bluegrass Buttons are available now for $5.00 at select businesses:
These buttons are a collectors item, and may win you prizes! Stay tuned for details about our special 25th Anniversary event, and how bringing your old buttons could win you prizes!
Scroll down to the bottom of this webpage for details about the Bird of the Year, the Bald Eagle!
OR, Celebrate and support our 25th Anniversary event with a t-shirt! Whether you get the Button or the 25th logo design, your purchase can help us make an impact, and remind you of all you learned and fun you had during BirdFest & Bluegrass! Normally $25, Promo: 10% off when you purchase your shirt from 9/2-9/16! No code required.
BirdFest and Bluegrass is the main event every year that the Friends & the City of Ridgefield put on to bring awareness to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, and all that it has to offer. We celebrate the Sandhill Crane returning to the Refuge, a huge stately bird that is endangered in Washington State, and we celebrate everything the Refuge is and what it brings to the community. With endangered species, hundreds of migratory species, an auto tour route, photo blind, walking trails, habitat restoration programs, and so much more – there is a lot to celebrate, and a lot to learn.
We are uniquely fortunate to have the Refuge as a resource right in our own backyard, and by learning not only how to appreciate the beauty, but the necessity of it, you come one step closer to being able to support it.
Whether you head downtown to jam with bluegrass bands, shop, or do crafts, take a drive around the Refuge’s Auto Tour, or head to the Carty Unit for family crafts, guided hikes, or a walk on the trail- there is something for everyone, and lots to learn!
Get an idea of how to plan your day! Download the flyer with a printable page, Spanish version, and screen-reader-friendly PDF to get ideas. Specific details like jamming locations, types of crafts, and walk topics will be released closer to the event, and available here as well as the City of Ridgefield website.
From events on the river, in downtown Ridgefield, or either unit of the Refuge- find details about everything you need (and even more, coming soon).
Park at the Ridgefield Waterfront (Mill St) and catch the shuttle to Downtown & the Carty Unit. Rides approx every 15 min. Wheelchair accessible. Shuttle will end at 2 PM.
Please be aware that the shuttle service concludes at 2 PM, so plan your visit to make the most of your time at the Refuge. For those seeking a more immersive experience, we encourage you to take advantage of the scenic Carty Lake Trail, which offers a beautiful hike from the Port and allows users to make a full loop (4.8 miles total) back through downtown and finally, the Port again, fostering a deeper connection to the stunning natural beauty of the area.
Parking Options include:
Friday, October 4, we invite you to join us to kick off the official BirdFest & Bluegrass 2024 festivities with a special 25th Anniversary Event at the Ridgefield Waterfront! Guests will have the option to partake in a pre-registered sunset paddle on Lake River with the City of Ridgefield’s Dragon Boats, following a welcoming blessing from the Chinook Indian Nation and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. Those not interested in paddling but who would like to celebrate the anniversary may stay for hot chocolate, wine, desserts, and music by the water, by the boat ramp and picnic area.
An area for those under 21 will include crafts and treats.
Registration is required for the paddle, please register on the Meetup event page. Participants should arrive by 5:30 PM for a 6 PM start.
Entry to the celebration will require an ID check and a $10 fee.
For those unable to pre-register for the celebration, we will be accepting payment at entry also.
ARRIVE: 5:30 PM
PADDLE : 6 PM – 7 PM
EVENT: 6 PM – END
Explore over 60 local vendors from 9 AM to 2 PM at Davis Park. Vendors include artisan bread and pastries, handmade crafts and gifts, artwork from local artists, snacks, ceramics and so much more.
Stop by Overlook Park to shop the Children’s Entrepreneur Market where kids rise to the challenge of deciding what to sell, creating a booth, talking to customers, and handling money at Overlook Park from 9 AM to 2 PM.
Visit the City of Ridgefield Events Trailer at Davis Park from 9 AM – 2 PM to create your bird or music related craft. Crafts are for all ages and are available while supplies last.
Meet at Overlook Park for a stroll into the Port of Ridgefield and continue into the Refuge.
Join us on our Kaoshiang Dragon Boats to paddle Lake River and the shoreline of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge as we Paddle For The Wild. This BirdFest event is Free! Registration is required, please register on the Meetup event page.
Bring your string instrument and jam along with others at one of our dedicated jamming locations!
Outdoor Locations:
Indoor Locations:
Are you a business or organization planning something on this day? Let us know so we can share the details on this page! Send an email to Events@ridgefieldwa.us with all the details.
Looking for vendor information? Visit the City’s First Saturdays Vendor page.
Scroll down to the bottom of this webpage for details about the Bird of the Year, the Bald Eagle!
Details added all the time.
A once-in-a-lifetime chance to hear and see the magnificent flight of hundreds of Sandhill Cranes as they visit their morning or night roost. Join expert staff to learn about cranes and wildlife. Reserve early or get on the wait list, space is extremely limited.
Available Tours: SOLD OUT
Friday, October 4, 2024 – 5:00 PM
Saturday, October 5, 2024 – 6:00 AM
Saturday, October 5, 2024 – 5:00 PM
A suggested donation of $30.00 helps support this special part of BirdFest & Bluegrass and ensures October fun for years to come.
Please visit local businesses in Ridgefield: Sportsman’s Steakhouse & Saloon, Old Liberty Theater – Season’s Coffee Shop, Ridgefield Craft Brewing, Bunnies, El Rancho Viejo, Ridgefield Pioneers Market, Starliner Deli, Ridgefield Floral & Gifts, Ridgefield Hardware, and all of the Carts by the Park; Sushi Kato, La Catrina, Nest, and Poca Pasta.
BirdFest & Bluegrass is a joint event planned in a partnership between the City of Ridgefield, The US Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge that includes in-person self-led activities, crafts, musical performances, shopping, tours, and a Pickers Festival.
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
The majestic Bald Eagle has been designated as the Bird of the Year for the 25th Anniversary of BirdFest & Bluegrass, shining a spotlight on these incredible raptors and their important role in our ecosystem.
Washington is home to a thriving population of Bald Eagles, with one of the best places to observe them being the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge provides vital habitat for these birds, offering an abundance of food sources and suitable nesting sites.
Known for their impressive wingspan, striking plumage, and recovery from the endangered species list, their presence is not only a visual delight but also a testament to the successful conservation efforts in Washington and across the country, and the importance of preserving their natural habitats.
The lifespan of a Bald Eagle in the wild typically ranges between 20 to 25 years, with some living as long as 30 years. These majestic birds go through a fascinating process of transformation during their lives, particularly noticeable in their feather coloration change.
Bald Eagles are not born with the distinctive white head and tail feathers for which they are so well known. Instead, eaglets hatch covered in light grey down which is replaced by brownish-black feathers as they grow. The transition from this dark plumage to the iconic white head and black body does not occur until around five years old when they reach sexual maturity.
This five-year period also marks significant milestones in terms of behavior, habitat exploration, hunting skills development, and social interactions among peers. The gradual transformation signifies maturation and readiness to engage in mating rituals such as aerial displays – an important aspect for sustaining the species.
While it may seem confusing that these powerful creatures don’t acquire their signature appearance until later in life, it’s just another testament to nature’s complex yet beautiful design. This progression ensures that younger Bald Eagles can be recognized by mature individuals, avoiding territorial disputes and maintaining harmony within this magnificent bird community. It adds an extra layer of intrigue into understanding the lifecycle and adaptive strategies employed
by these remarkable birds for survival throughout generations.
Next time you visit Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, keep an eye out for these iconic birds as they swoop through the sky or perch high atop a tree. Witnessing their beauty and grace in person is truly a memorable experience.
In Washington State, Bald Eagles begin their nesting process as early as February. This is when milder weather conditions begin, which makes it conducive for these birds to start their breeding and nesting activities.
The eagles construct large nests located high in tree-tops near water bodies, showcasing an incredible feat of engineering and effort from these birds. These nests serve as homes where they raise their young ones. The choice of February to begin this activity is strategic; it allows
the eggs laid by female Eagles enough time to hatch, giving the fledglings adequate time to grow strong before winter sets in again.
During this period, bird watchers get an opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures up close as they engage in various behaviors such as courtship rituals, hunting for food, and taking care of their offspring.
However, human disturbances can greatly affect this delicate process, hence it’s vital for people visiting these areas during nesting season to respect boundaries and adhere strictly to rules put in place by wildlife authorities. This ensures that we coexist harmoniously with these iconic birds while also preserving them for future generations.
Let’s celebrate the Bald Eagle as the Bird of the Year and continue to protect and cherish these magnificent creatures in Washington State and beyond.
When Amazon removed AmazonSmile, we lost our Amazon Wishlist access. Now, we have finally started one back up! Shop for items that the Friends and the Refuge Complex need to help with everything from habitat restoration to events like BirdFest & Bluegrass, and help support wildlife in little and big ways.
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Sign up for the Community Rewards program by linking your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (PK822). For more information, please visit the link below.
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