Morro Bay bird festival organizers say Jan. 16–20 event will bring about 1,000 visitors and nearly $1 million to local economy

Bob Rubel, speaking for the Morro Bay Bird Festival, told the Harbor Advisory Board that the festival will run Jan. 16–20 from the Morro Bay Community Center and include field trips, pelagic boat trips, classroom presentations and a vendor bazaar aimed at drawing birders statewide.

Rubel said registration opened in November and that “we currently have 792 people who are registered to come,” with more than 100 leaders and roughly 100 volunteers still to register. He described a budget of about $250,000 in income against estimated expenses of $225,000 and said the organizers expect “just over $900,000” to flow into the local economy from lodging, meals, boat rentals and related spending.

The presentation listed three keynote guests — David Lindo, Ken Kaufman and Rebecca Heisman — and described a program of bay cruises, pelagic trips, bus excursions to inland reserves and family-day activities. Rubel said the festival’s outreach emphasizes small-town hospitality and that about 72% of current registrants live outside the 934 ZIP code, heightening demand for local lodging.

Board members asked organizers about logistics and city support. Member Green praised the festival as “one of the best regular occurring events here in the city” and asked whether the city could provide additional meeting spaces; Rubel said hotels and other local venues have supplied meeting rooms and that event organizers work with the Chamber to coordinate volunteers and facilities.

Rubel also noted the festival’s vendor list includes optics companies and local artists, and that nonprofit groups such as Pacific Wildlife Care will have booths to raise funds. He encouraged board members to join a bird walk and invited the board to the festival’s Friday noon grand opening.

The presentation concluded with organizers asking for continued local support and partnerships; no formal city action was taken at the meeting.