Spring is slowly but surely on approach. As temperatures rise across March and the seasons get ready to change, it won’t be long before Colonial Beach welcomes back its first round of seasonal residents and tourists in the form of the ospreys. It’s safe to say that these fish-scooping birds of prey are an integral part of the identity of Colonial Beach, and if anyone ever doubted that, all they need to do is take a look at the upcoming celebration that is due to take place come April: the annual Colonial Beach Osprey Festival.

Set to kick off at 9 in the morning on the 11th of April, the upcoming festival was given a brief mention by Colonial Beach Mayor Robin Schick during the Town Council’s March work session, and while she was light on details, the Virginia Osprey Foundation has made it a point to give a full rundown on what to expect over on its website.

Started back in 2019 and billed as “a family-friendly festival packed with nature, education, local flavor, and fun for all ages set against the beautiful backdrop of the Potomac River,” the Osprey Festival, according to the Foundation’s website, came about when Joyce Reimherr thought it up to celebrate the return of the titular birds. It was a huge hit on its debut, and while things took a virtual turn in 2020 and 2021, it came back in a big way the following years and has never looked back.

During these festivals, the Town Hill green space turns into a veritable showroom floor as booths are set up, some holding vendors, others holding demonsrations, and tours of the various osprey nests and their boxes around the town are conducted. During all of this time, the core focus of the event remains unchanged: helping educate event-goers on the ins and outs of osprey life, as well as give people a proper introduction to the hobby of birdwatching.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy exhibits by George Washington’s Birthplace, Ducks Unlimited, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Potomac Riverkeepers Network, Stratford Hall, and many more. Over a dozen vendors are also slated to take part, ranging from food trucks to art galleries to unique jewelry and beyond.

In recent years, the Osprey Festival has been hosting a number of speakers in the Fisheries Building across from the Riverboat, and this year will be no exception, with Dr. Rob Bierregaard, a research associate of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and President of the Raptor Research Foundation, as the keynote speaker. There is also slated to be a performance by the Rappahannock Tribe, and a number of other presentations to take place throughout the day.

Last year’s festival had the misfortune of hitting the day after heavy rains, which turned the Town Hill green space into something more akin to a quagmire. It goes without saying that people are hoping for sunnier and drier weather this time around. Tickets for presentations at the Fisheries building as well as golf cart nest tours remain on sale at the Virginia Osprey Foundation’s website. More information on the event is expected to be given as April 11 draws closer.