DE PERE, Wis. — An animal created some challenges for organizers of Celebrate De Pere.
Plans were pretty set until organizers found out they had to work with specific guidelines to protect an eagle nest with eagles living in it.
The Wisconsin DNR tells NBC26 Celebrate De Pere happens to coincide with when the eagle parents are still incubating and taking care of their young eagles. They fear the commotion of the event could scare the eagles away from the nest, leaving the young eagles behind.
Organizers now must follow a set of guidelines, keeping the event at least 330 feet away from the nest. But organizers say it all turned out okay.
"It really turned into a positive for us because where else can anyone go and see an active nest for you know our National Treasure really?" said the President of Celebrate De Pere, Jeff Tilkens.
They must keep their main stage for music at least 660 feet away and they are roping off 220 feet below the tree to keep people from getting too close to the nest.
Organizers tell NBC26 they will also have signs along the roped off areas to educate people about the bald eagle. Bald eagles are on the protected list under federal laws. Without a permit, there can be fines or prison for anyone who disturbs an eagle, its nest or eggs, whether alive or dead.
