Opening ceremonies for Nordic Fest will include a bald eagle appearance

Nordic Fest Opening Ceremonies will include a bald eagle.

This year's theme is "Return to the Nest for the 46th Fest," and Raptor Resource Project Director Bob Anderson is the Nordic Fest Parade Marshal, so it's appropriate that Angel, a 13-year-old female bald eagle from the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota, will put in an appearance at opening ceremonies.

Angel was found with a broken wing below an eagle's nest. She was just a fledgling and had been surviving on scraps from a nearby heron nest. After surgery and rehabilitation of her wing at the University of Minnesota's Raptor Center, Angel was still unable to sustain flight and could not be returned to the wild, so Angel now makes regular appearances at educational and community events. She will be accompanied to Nordic Fest by the National Eagle Center's Executive Director, Rolf Thompson, and Bridget Befort, Director of Eagle Care.

Angel will be available for public viewing starting at 6:15 p.m. on Main Street across from the Winneshiek County Courthouse, prior to Nordic Fest Opening Ceremonies beginning at 6:45 p.m.  Following the ceremonies guests are welcome to stay for the Live Eagle Program presented by Thompson and Befort. They will share all kinds of fun facts and interesting stories about the eagle's eggs, nest, eyes, talons, food and more. Guests will have a chance to come forward for a closer view. Cameras are welcome.