Snake River Birds of Prey Festival

Southwest Idaho is a region filled with adventures and one-of-a-kind experiences for travelers. From May 13 to 15 the 3rd Annual Snake River Birds of Prey Festival will provide the unique opportunity to learn about the region’s dense populations of birds of prey through field trips, lectures, tours, exhibits, guest speakers, demonstrations, and interactive activities. 

Festival headquarters will be Reed Elementary School in Kuna, Idaho, about 20 miles south of Boise.

Festival event highlights include float and paddle trips along part of the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, wildlife photography lectures, falconry demonstrations, raptor banding, interactive field lectures to see burrowing owl and Golden Eagle nesting areas, a historic tour of Southwest Idaho, and a barbeque banquet with keynote speaker Leon Powers. 

Families with younger children will particularly enjoy a movie night with live raptors, numerous educational booths, crafts and origami, special children’s activities and projects, and a youth art contest. Many lectures will include live animals and demonstrations, offering the chance to experience birds of prey up close.

Festival fee is $5 per family, $3 per individual, and free for children under 12 with a paying adult. Individual events may have additional fees.

Nearby, Boise is home to the World Center for Birds of Prtey. Year round visitors can learn about birds of prey from the area and around the world. Educational programs, behind the scenes tours, and volunteer opportunities are available. Birds of prey include falcons, eagles, hawks, condors, and owls.

For more information about top events in Idaho take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Idaho. 

To learn more about the Snake River Birds of Prey Festival visit www.snakeriverbirdsofpreyfestival.com.

El Reno Fried Onion Burger Festival

The 150 pounds of onions are peeled, the Big Burger –  850 pounds and 8.5 ft. in diameter – is almost ready to be cooked and the preparations downtown are in full swing for the Fried Onion Burger Day Festival El Reno, Oklahoma, on Saturday May 7 from 10am to 6pm.

Fun events include the Burger Eating Contest (one 10-and-under and one adult contest) from 10am to noon at the Big Burger Arena and the crowning of the “King of the Big Burger”. 

The Oklahoma Commemorative Wing Air Force will be making flyovers in World War II vintage aircraft. Check out some 200 classic cars and 100 cycles at Cycle World. Nearly 30 craft booths are expected this year, offering a variety of handmade crafts and various items. 

There will be headliner bands on the Main Stage - the EHS Jazz Band, The Wurlybirds, Truck, Blues Tiger, Greater Than Zero, One Armed Bandit and 4-1-1. There is plenty of entertainment for the children – choirs and dance groups on the Kid Stage, clowns, hula hoop contests and much else.

And of course there are enough Burgers (and other food) for at least 30,000 people.

The El Reno Main Street Program, host and organizer of the festival, is among only 50 communities nationwide to be honored with the Great American Main Street Award. Downtown El Reno plays host to an average of 30,000 people annually when the Main Street Program stages its volunteer-run Fried Onion Burger Day Festival, which has occurred on the first Saturday in May for the past 22 years. 

For more information about top events in Oklahoma take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Oklahoma.

For more information on the Fried Onion Burger Day Festival visit www.elrenoburgerday.com