Modified Local Events and Relief Efforts Announced

The Harney County Migratory Bird Festival planning team has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2025 event, originally scheduled for Thursday-Sunday, April 10–13, due to ongoing and potential flooding across the region.

This decision follows severe flood impacts throughout the community, including neighborhoods on the Burns Paiute Reservation, Triangle Park, the Memorial baseball fields, and areas in north and northeast Burns. The city’s sewer system has experienced a major failure, and water contamination from E. coli and coliform has been confirmed. Many residents, along with their pets, have been displaced, and additional snowmelt from the mountains is expected to increase flood activity in the coming weeks.

“Canceling the festival was not an easy decision, especially considering the economic benefit it brings to the community each year,” said Janelle Wicks, Friends of Malheur Refuge Director and festival partner. “But the safety and well-being of our residents come first.”

Despite the cancellation, the Bird Festival team is moving forward with a variety of free, locally focused activities:

• Downtown History Walking Tours, readings and workshops with Oregon Poet Laureate Ellen Waterston, Saturday kids’ activities, and tours at the Harney County Historical Museum (with tour fees covered by the festival).

• Spark Art Studios Art Show & Sale – with vendor fees covered by the festival.

• Free meals for flood-impacted residents, crisis workers, and volunteers:

—Friday, 5:30 p.m. – “Burgers from Birders” at the Elks Lodge

—Saturday, 3–6 p.m. – Taco Bar at Valley Golf Club

• Youth art displays and contest – Artist in Residence Program student works are currently featured in downtown business windows. The Youth Art Contest deadline has been extended to May 2, with winners selected by public voting on May 8 during Harney Nights.

Additionally, the Bird Festival is partnering with the Harney County Opportunity Team to manage a Flood Relief and Recovery Fund, which has already received over $15,000 in donations through festival outreach. From longtime attendees to new registrants and community champions, Harney County supporters have shown up in a big way with overwhelming generosity.

“The festival has always been about celebrating our unique environment and supporting our community,” said Tara Thissell, Public Affairs Specialist for the Bureau of Land Management and festival partner. “And Folks in Harney County should know just how many non-locals really care about this place. Birders don’t show up to just stop in the middle of the road and look at birds—they come because they love this place, our wildlife, and our people.”

For more information, visit www.migratorybirdfestival.com.