Past Events

24th Annual Bald Eagle Day

Bald Eagle

Get an up-close look at a live bald eagle and other raptors! Eagle shows will be presented hourly from 11:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. ( last program starts at 3:00 P.M.) in Central’s Douwstra Auditorium.  Staff from the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center will share amazing details about how these birds “make a living.” More live birds await you in the Graham Conference Center as ENvirnomental Educator MIke Havlik presents the program, “Big Owls Hoot, Little Owls Toot” at noon, and he will present “What DO Birds Have to Teach Us?” at 2:00 P.M.  Both programs feature live raptors! Other event highlights include the Pella Wildlife Company’s live bat shows (1:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M.), incredible wildlife photography by Ron Huelse, information about the new eagle nest cam at REd Rock, kids craft activites and an “environmental fair” featuring numerous environmental groups, agencies and other vendors.

After all the indoor fun, travel to the Red Rock Dam and spot eagles fishing and flying in the wild! Event staff and volunteers will be on hand at the NOrth Tailwater Recreation Area with sptting scopes throughout the event to assist yuou.

The Red Rock Visitor Center, located on teh south side fo the REd Rock Dam, featuring showing of “On the Wings of the Wind” eagle video. Volunteers will be there to answer your questions about the lake area tnd help you plan your next visit!

Admission to Bald Eagle Day is free of charge, and no reservations are needed.  The even is presented by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Marion COunty COnservation Board, Pella Wildlife Company, and Central College and the REd ROck Lake Association.  For more information, contact Tracy Spry at 641-828-7522 or 641-628-8690 or visit Lake Red Rock’s website at www.lakeredrock.org.

2011 Balloon Fest

The first ever Lake Red Rock Balloon Fest will took place July 15-17-11. Twenty-three balloons took flight over Marion County. The event took place at Lake Red Rock Visitor’s Center. Events included competition flights, an appearance by the Harley Davidson Balloon, various kids’ activities, and more. The event was put on in part by the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce. KNIA/KRLS’s Big Red Radio spent time on site, playing music and making announcements.

- KNIA/KRLS

Hickory Ridge Wilderness Camp

Hickory Ridge Wilderness Camp will be a special attraction for canoeists and kayakers who will use this overnight accommodation for outings on the lake. Scouts and other youth groups will come to practice orienteering or learn to kayak.

People will compare Hickory Ridge Wilderness Camp with the rustic, secluded overnights that they’ve loved at huge national parks. Activities such as picnicking, cross-country skiing, hiking and bird watching will be popular here.

Hickory Ridge cleanup has just finished with the help of many volunteers including: Central College students, professors, scouts, cadets, youth leaders, Vermeer Manufacturing employees and local enthusiast who just want this project to succeed. Our community now has a 47-acre primitive camping area with access to the lake. Paddle over to camp for the night and paddle on!

Thank you to all the people who helped with these upgrades and cleanups!

Lake Association Honors Volunteers

The annual Volunteer/Contractor Picnic, sponsored by the Red Rock Lake Association, was held August 29 at the North Overlook Recreation Area to recognize the contributions of these vital members of the lake’s team. Twenty-five live-on-site volunteers and ten local volunteers donated their time to provide a multitude of services. These volunteers worked over 7,500 hours this summer: equivalent hours to 3.5 full-time staff working for a year!

The Red Rock Lake Association provided the funds to purchase food for the picnic and the volunteer awards. President Matt Kissinger and other board members were on hand to thank the crew for their efforts.

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