Lake of the Ozarks, MO - Visitors and locals alike will have the opportunity to see majestic bald eagles in the wild and up-close during the 2019 Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days, Saturday and Sunday, January 5 and 6.

Presented by Ameren Missouri, Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days is a free and public celebration of America's national bird. Although bald eagles are the headlining act, other birds of prey will be featured as well during the different programs over the course of the weekend. All Eagle Days activities take place at various locations around the city of Lake Ozark.

	Bald Eagles thrive around the Lake of the Ozarks during the wintertime.

Nearly 4,000 attendees came out for last year's Eagle Days making it one of the most successful outings in the event's history. Activities get underway at 9 a.m. and run until 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5, and from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 6.

"Eagle Days is one of the most popular winter events at the Lake of the Ozarks," says Jim Divincen, administrator for the Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association. "And, for a good reason. Missouri has one of the largest winter populations of bald eagles in the country and they thrive along the shores and forests of the Lake of the Ozarks. Eagle Days is a wonderful opportunity to see these majestic birds and learn so much about them. It doesn't matter what age you are, it's always exciting to get to see real, live bald eagles in their natural habitat, whether soaring over the Lake or perched in the trees."

Divincen adds that the best ways for attendees to enjoy their Eagle Days experience is to dress warmly and bring their cameras and binoculars for best viewing results.

	The World Bird Sanctuary will hold live eagle programs on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 5 and 6 at Osage National Golf Resort in Lake Ozark during Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days.

	The owls program presented by the Dickerson Park Zoo at the School of the Osage is a fun and educational way to learn about owls of all sizes that call Missouri home.

At the School of the Osage Heritage Elementary, 1571 Bagnell Dam Boulevard, there will be many activities and exhibitors throughout the weekend. The highlight of the activities at the elementary school is presentations by the Dickerson Park Zoo of Springfield, Mo. Staff members of Dickerson Park Zoo offer two different interactive programs focusing on the Eagles of North America and another program featuring hawks, owls and turkey vultures ("Day Shift, Night Shift and Garbage Gal"). The programs occur every hour beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. Other activities at the School of the Osage include face painting and a coloring and photo contest. Exhibitors include Ameren Missouri, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri State Parks, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Water Patrol, Lake Area Photo Club, Jim Rathert Photography, Lake of the Ozarks chapter of Missouri Naturalists and others. Activities at the School of the Osage conclude at 5 p.m. on Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday.

	Live eagle viewing takes place at Willmore Lodge as well as the Bagnell Dam Access during 2019 Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days.

There will be two locations for wild eagle-viewing activities throughout the weekend. The historic Willmore Lodge, 1 Willmore Lane, will feature interactive exhibits and crafts on display in the Bagnell Dam History Museum in addition to prime eagle-watching vantage points. Willmore Lodge will be open from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

The other wild eagle viewing location is the Bagnell Dam Access, located off of Highway 54 on Osage River Bridge Road, roughly three miles from Willmore Lodge. In addition to viewing eagles in the wild, visitors to the Bagnell Dam Access also will be able to watch eagle nest-building demonstrations by Master Naturalists. Free hot chocolate will also be available at the Bagnell Dam Access. Activities at the Bagnell Dam Access run from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

For complete details on the 2019 Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days, including schedules of specific events and programs as well as exhibitors and demonstrations, visit www.LakeOfTheOzarksEagleDays.com.

Additional winter events, as well as year around attractions and information on all lodging and dining options available at the Lake, can be found on the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau's award-winning website, www.FunLake.com, or by calling 1-800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253).

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