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Osprey enthusiasts migrate to historic Colonial Beach for annual festival, Apr 30, 2022

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Colonial Beach, Virginia is the location for the town’s Fourth Annual Osprey Festival, April 9, 2022. Colonial Beach (or 'CB' as the locals call it) is a designated bird sanctuary along the Potomac River. The osprey is this delightful town’s signature bird. The annual festival celebrates birdwatching and the area’s abundant natural resources. The weekend kicks off “Earth Day Month” on Friday, April 8, with a downtown art walk featuring wildlife subjects and live music in the historic section of Colonial Beach.

Saturday, April 9, is a full nest of live demonstrations, talks, hikes, golf cart tours, trolley rides, vendors and exhibitors on Town Hill (adjacent to the beach). A ticket to the event includes talks by wildlife professional Mike Callahan and osprey blogger Pam Narney, as well as a hummingbird presentation, an introduction to birding, a presentation on technology for birding, and a presentation on Monarch butterflies and native plants. The featured event is a live Zoom talk with osprey expert Dr. Alan Poole at 1pm Saturday, April 9.

Visitors can rent individual golf carts all weekend. There are kayaks and canoes available to rent in town along the Potomac. Guests can also hike, bike, or travel by car to take a closer look at the local osprey platforms during the annual mating/nesting season. Visit some of the premiere bird watching sites in the area or the many astonishing historic sites. Several U.S. presidents lived within only a few miles of Colonial Beach. And Alexander Graham Bell's summer home sits proudly in town on the Potomac river.

The entire April 9 weekend is a celebration of bird watching and outdoor activities. Make arrangements early to stay in one of the charming hotels or cottages available in this hidden traveler’s treasure. Many marinas host visitors traveling by boat. Camping accommodations are also available.

The festival, hosted by Downtown Colonial Beach, Inc. supports revitalization of the historic downtown and commercial core of this Potomac River beachfront community.

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Ticketed festival activities include presentations, golf cart tours of osprey nests on "The Point," trolley history and osprey nest tour around town, guided bird walks, and Souvenir Program Guide on the festival and birding on the Northern Neck. The exhibition area, Grand Ole O'spry Concert at Colonial Beach Brewing from 7 - 10 pm, and the "Find the Bird Scavenger Hunt" are open to everyone at no charge. The Scavenger Hunt runs from April 9 through May 31st and has some great prizes. Pick up participation sheets at the Downtown Colonial Beach exhibit or participating businesses and other locations.