ARLINGTON — The city of Arlington and the Stillaguamish Tribe announces the third annual Eagle Festival on Saturday, February 6th in Arlington.

The Stillaguamish and Skagit watersheds host one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles in the lower 48 states. Wintering eagles take advantage of the abundance of spawning salmon in the Stilly River, said Arlington Recreation Manager Sarah Hegge.

From 10 a.m. to noon, eagle expert Libby Mills and other volunteers, will be guiding attendees at Port Susan Bay Nature Conservancy.

As visitors drive toward Port Susan on Norman Rd, they are encouraged to keep a sharp eye out for eagles flying over the Stillaguamish River or perched in cottonwood trees.

At the estuary at Port Susan, eagle-watchers will be able to look through binoculars and spotting scopes to get a close up look at area raptors.

Activities will be taking place all day in downtown Arlington. Two presentations by Sarvey Wildlife (11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m) will give audiences the chance to meet eagles and other birds of prey in the City Council Chambers.

At last year’s presentation, several hundred people stood five feet away from a bald eagle named “Freedom”.

At 11 a.m., the Arlington Arts Council will be announcing the winners of the “Somethings Fishy in Arlington” fish art project.

At that time, the Sarah M. Arney Art Award will be presented in the building across from the Arlington Police Station on Third Street.

At 12:30 p.m., Bill Blake from the city of Arlington and Pat Stevenson and Jason Griffith from the Stillaguamish Tribe will be giving a special watershed presentation “Salmon Habitat in the Stilly — Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” at the City Council Chambers.

Katie Kelleher from the city of Arlington is teaching a new educational program at 2 p.m. to introduce people to the Global Positioning System (GPS). She will explain how to use GPS, how to read a map and how to find a Geo-cache. This will also take place in the building across from the police station.

The Arlington Arts Council is hosting an art show (103 East Third Street) Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The public is encouraged to enter the photography contest, with categories of eagles and nature. Cash prizes will be awarded. Also included in the art show is a poetry contest. Details can be found at www.arlingtonwa.gov.

The Arlington Library is hosting a children’s activity and the Arlington Kiwanis are providing refreshments at the art show.

Paul Nyenhuis will be playing his native flute for attendees.

There will be a “Fishy” Scavenger hunt in downtown Arlington during the event. Stop by the art show to receive clues to find fish art around downtown.

New this year is the “Ugliest Chicken” contest hosted by Co-op Supply in Arlington. Bring your ugliest feathered friend (in cage or carrier) from 10 a.m. to noon. Judging will be at 2:00. Cute and amazing chickens are also welcome to be shown.

Downtown merchants are providing wagon rides around downtown, and many stores are featuring “Super Saturday”. Several restaurants will be having lunch specials.

At 3 p.m., members of the Pilchuck Audubon Society will lead a bird watching walk through the Portage Creek Wildlife Sanctuary in Arlington.

For more information, please visit the city of Arlington’s Web site at www.arlingtonwa.gov or 360-403-3448.