A bird sanctuary and osprey mecca, Colonial Beach Virginia is the location for the town’s Third Annual Osprey Festival, celebrating its signature bird, other bird life and the area’s abundant natural resources. The festival is sponsored by Downtown Colonial Beach, Inc. to support revitalization of the historic downtown and commercial core of this slightly off-the-beaten track, gem of a Potomac River beachfront community. 

Latest Festival News and Updates

Take a “Virtual Osprey Walk” with Top Regional Birdwatching Expert and Naturalist

It's time for the great "Find the Bird Scavenger Hunt" again in Colonial Beach.

Hunt begins Thursday, July 15 and runs through September 6th

It was so popular at our 2019 festival that we're repeating it with our 2021 Virtual Osprey Festival. Cool out in some cool shops and sites when you search for a bird picture, figurine, ornament, wall sticker, etc. at 11 businesses and attractions and 32 vendor stalls at Peddler's Market.

1st prize is an overnight stay at our boutique hotel, the Riverview Inn, plus a $50 gift certificate for The Lighthouse Restaurant. 2nd prize is original bird-themed designer jewelry created by Colonial Beach artist Andrea Clement, and 3rd prize is a flight of craft brews for 2 from the Colonial Beach Brewery. There will also be a children's prize for scavengers 12 and under.

Scavenger Hunt participant sheets and birds can be picked up at:

• 2 Grandbabies and the Artists' Alliance on Taylor Avenue,

• The Beach Shop on the Boardwalk,

• the Chamber of Commerce,

• Hawthorn Mercantile,

• the Colonial Beach Museum,

• the Riverview Inn,

• River Edge Inn,

• Ferry Landing Pier,

• the Game Room in the Colonial Shopping Center,

• Raven's Point on Washington Avenue

• and Peddler's Market (find the bird in 10 of the 32 stalls).

After you've found 20 birds, hand in your form with contact information at the Beach Shop, Artists' Alliance, Riverview Inn, Riveredge Inn, or Peddler's Market. Your sheets will be entered into a raffle for the prizes. But the real prize will be all the fun you'll have cooling off in one of our shops or sites while you search out all the different kinds of birds the shops come up with. Participation is free for everyone.

Thank You to Our 2021 Sponsor!