The first weekend in January is always a holiday in the Great Rivers & Routes region of southwest Illinois.

That's when residents and visitors alike gather to celebrate the return of American Bald Eagles to their winter homes. This year, the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau has expanded the celebration in to a free two-day event featuring live music, a fire performer, ice carving competition and, of course, a live Eagle Meet & Greet.

Both the Audubon Center at Riverlands and the National Great Rivers Museum in Alton are joining in the fun on Saturday hosting a variety of activities that round our the family fun weekend!

Note: There will be a free shuttle running between the Audubon Center, National Great Rivers Museum and FLOCK Food Truck Park throughout Saturday's events.

Kick off the weekend by adding Friday's Alton Eagle Ice Festival events to your plans. Friday night activities run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Head to FLOCK Food Truck Park in Alton and start your evening with great food from the following food trucks:

• Byrdies
• The Spud Shack
• Ramblin Rounds
• Hot Chocolate & S'mores from FLOCK

Entertainment and activities throughout the evening include:

• 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.: Whiskey Sampling from Switchgrass Spirits
• 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.: Face Painting
• 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.: Craft Cocktail Bar
• 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.: Fire Dancer
• 6 p.m.: Ice Carving Competition
• 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.: Live music by the Hollywood 5

Admission to the event is free.

The celebrations continue at FLOCK Food Truck Park on Saturday, Jan. 3 with activities starting at 10 a.m. and running until 2 p.m.

Activities include:

• 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Live Eagle Meet & Greet
• 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Face Painting
• 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Live Music by Mike Mattingly
• 10 a.m.: Start of Live Ice Carving
• 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Abominable Snowman Live Entertainer
• 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Balloon Twister/Artist
• 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Eagle Fest Market at Old Bakery Beer Company

Pick up lunch or a snack from one of the food trucks on site:

• Byrdies
• Pig on a Wing
• Ramblin Rounds
• Idle Roasting Co. Coffee
• Hot Chocolate & S'mores from FLOCK

Explore downtown Alton after part in the Alton Eagle Ice Festival!

Pick up your Eagle Fest Passport at FLOCK Food Truck Park on Friday or Saturday and then visit a total of 17 participating businesses. Spend a minimum of $10 at three businesses, get your passport stamped and take it to the Alton Visitor Center to redeem for a special prize!

The annual Alton Eagle Ice Fest offers people of all ages exceptional opportunities to experience amazing raptors in the wild at the Audubon Center at Riverlands. There are also indoors opportunities to view eagles with live Bald Eagle presentations. Visitors are welcome to participate in free and fee-based activities.

Eagle Ice Fest Activities: FREE

Take a leisurely walk along the trails to enjoy guided activities from various partner organizations. Enjoy educational eagle activities, Build a Bald Eagle's Nest, create eagle themed crafts, test your eagle knowledge, Meet Eric the Eagle, meet local vendors and enjoy some delicious food from Dam-it Joes BBQ. Discover the amazing work being done on the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

Then view overwintering eagles, trumpeter swans, and other waterfowl that call the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary their winter home! Tails will also feature self-guided learning stations, a trail-side storybook walk, and more!

Eagle Meet & Greet Sessions: $10 per person. Tickets are required.

Meet an Eagle, up close and presented by Wild Bird Sanctuary! Visitors will learn all about amazing raptor adaptations, their conservation history, and fun facts. Question and answer opportunities will follow and visitors will leave with a renewed passion for our nation's symbol. Sessions: 10 a.m.; 11 a.m.; 1 p.m.; 2 p.m.

After your Eagle Meet and Greet session, take time to roast mallows and enjoy a fireside s'more. Then a leisurely walk along our trails to enjoy guided activities from various partner organizations. Then view overwintering eagles, trumpeter swans, and other waterfowl that call the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary their winter home! Our trails will also feature self-guided learning stations, a trail-side storybook walk, and more!

Purchase tickets in advance here.

Guided Bird Hikes (Donation)
Join Audubon staff for a guided Bird Hike around Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary! Visitors will meet at the Audubon Center at Riverlands for a leisurely hike on paved trails to view our overwintering birds. Wear comfortable clothing and footwear for the outdoors. These guided hikes are a great way to view and learn more about our winter visitors, Bald Eagles and Trumpeter Swans, improve your bird ID skills, immerse in nature, and meet other bird and nature enthusiasts! Discover, learn and have fun with us! Binoculars will be provided to participants.

Sessions: 10 a.m.; 11 a.m.; 1 p.m.;

S'mores (Donation)
Enjoy a warm roasted s'more and warm up next to a campfire while embracing all of winter's splendor!

Visit the Melvin Price Locks & Dam and National Great Rivers Museum during the Alton Eagle Ice Fest and enjoy the following free activities:

• Tours of the Lock & Dam every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Take part in an eagle craft in the museum
• Watch an eagle movie in the theater
• Enjoy an educational touch-table with bird-related displays

Enhance your Eagle Ice Fest experience by creating a weekend adventure! Here are some local lodging properties offering overnight specials. Click this link for details: https://www.riversandroutes.co...