Calling all bald eagle fans: Jackie And Shadow party is coming to Big Bear

Jackie and Shadow fans from across California, and even across the country, will be heading to Big Bear Lake this weekend to celebrate the popular bald eagle pair and connect with others in the online community.

The bald eagle party, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, will be especially dedicated to the feathered couple that have spurred hope and heartbreak in some of the thousands of people that regularly tune into the nest livestream.

Sandy Steers, executive director of the Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that manages the cameras, told LAist it’s all part of the 10th annual “Outdoor Adventure Days,” which has a packed schedule full of free kayaking, birding, and other activities in the San Bernardino Mountains.

“A lot of them have heard about it online, they’re Jackie and Shadow fans, they want to see the area where Jackie and Shadow live,” Steers said. “And then we also have lots of people that come up with their families that just want a family outing day to, you know, enjoy all the outdoor adventures that we have in this valley.”

Attend the eagle party

It’ll include vendors, a Native American bald eagle dance, and an “eagle talk” question and answer session hosted by Steers.

While the bald eagle party is in its sixth year, it’ll be the first time name-tags are available, which Steers said was a suggestion from fans.

“We hadn't done that before, but that way everybody can put on their name tag, put their chat name or whatever name they want to put that people will know them by so they can recognize each other,” she said.

Friends of Big Bear Valley merchandise will also be available, Steers said, so pick out your Jackie and Shadow sweatshirts and puzzles sooner than later.

Outdoor Adventure Days details

If the party at the event center doesn’t seem like your style, there’s plenty of other eagle-inspired events in store for both Saturday and Sunday.

A lake birding tour will take you out on the water on a pontoon boat from Fawn Harbor, which Steers said she’s particularly looking forward to.

“We have a naturalist that's on board, a birder, that will go out and point out the birds that you see on the lake,” Steers said. “And of course, they'll be looking for eagles anywhere around the area, as they're out there.”

A bird walk led by a birding expert is being offered Saturday morning, and eagle nest viewing will be available at Dana Point Park for four hours each day.

Steers said there will also be some children-centered activities, including a booth where they can make butterfly masks and put together miniature eagles.

“What we are doing is working to preserve as much as nature as we can by advocating for it, by teaching people about it, by educating people how amazing it is and how important it is to us as humans,” she said. “So anything that we can do to help people appreciate that is why we started this whole event, to just get everybody out and seeing what's really here.”

Here's a full list of activities, including free birding, kayaking, wildflower hikes, and other weekend events. And here's a map of the Outdoor Adventure Days offerings.