EVENT CANCELED DUE TO WIDESPREAD AREA FLOODING
With heavy hearts, we must announce the cancellation of the April 10-13, 2025, Harney County Migratory Bird Festival. After significant consultation with community leaders, festival tour guides, and other event contributors, we have determined that this is not the time to organize visitors to come to our area. While we recognize the significant economic impact of the Bird Festival in Burns/Hines, the immediate priority is the safety and well-being of our residents. This decision was not made lightly by our multi-partner planning team, but given the ongoing crisis in our community, it is the right one.
As you may know, Harney County is experiencing unprecedented flooding. Entire neighborhoods, including lower housing on the Burns Paiute Reservation, Triangle Park, the Memorial baseball fields, and numerous streets, fields, and properties in north and northeast Burns, have been consumed by floodwaters. The Burns City sewer system has suffered a major failure, prompting serious concerns about water contamination and leading officials to urge residents to conserve household water use. Floodwater testing confirmed the presence of E. coli and coliform. Many areas remain under evacuation status 3, which means “go now”.
Many of our friends, neighbors, and their pets have been displaced—and we are not through it yet. This week, the standing water has rescinded from many areas, but with feet of snow still in the mountains, additional meltwater will continue to flow through the Silvies Floodplain, southern Harney County, and Malheur Refuge in the coming weeks.
Amid this hardship, the spirit of our community shines. Countless people—from local volunteers to state and federal agencies, travelers passing through, and supportive employers—are stepping up to help. We are deeply grateful.
We understand that many of you may still come to Harney County over festival weekend. Know that you are ALWAYS welcome here. The Chamber of Commerce or another partner may even organize a community volunteer opportunity for birders visiting during the festival weekend. Details to come if this is a possibility. While the traditional festival schedule is off the table for 2025, we can continue with a few things:
Zoom link for this class – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86305252911
We fully acknowledge the economic repercussions of these changes. Each year, we strive to maximize festival benefits for the community, businesses, and residents, making this cancellation particularly impactful.
The Bird Festival partners are sponsoring Grab & Go meals for affected individuals and crisis workers/volunteers on April 11 (Elks) and April 12 (Golf Club). We will also organize the opportunity for would-be festival-goers to contribute their registration fees to the community.
——- If you are so inclined, scroll down on this page and purchase a “Donation for Flood Relief & Recovery for Harney County” item. Donated funds will be managed by the Harney County Opportunity Team, a local nonprofit. Our goal is to direct these contributions toward free dinners for impacted residents on April 11 and 12 and the recovery and restoration of Triangle Park—one of the most cherished parks in our community. Your generosity will help support local families and youth as we work to rebuild.
Donation receipts can be provided at your request.
We sincerely regret this unexpected turn of events and any disruption to your plans. Please keep Harney County in your thoughts and send all the positive energy you can our way—we need it.
