One of Pekin's most celebrated nature events is the annual Bald Eagle Census Festival. Held on the Pekin Riverfront at the foot of Court Street near downtown Pekin, the festival usually takes place on the last Saturday in January, commemorating the annual tradition of censusing wintering eagles throughout the Midwest, which began in 1967. During the Pekin festival, visitors load up on buses to tour the official count, which takes place on the Illinois River within the stretch between Peoria and Havana. Fore more information and festival dates, please visit www.pekinmainstreet.com.