Original Flyway Festival Returns to Vallejo This Weekend

30th anniversary celebration of migratory birds in the San Francisco Bay Area

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival is returning to Vallejo this weekend for its 30th anniversary celebration. The three-day event, organized by Myrna Hayes, celebrates the annual migration of over 1 million shorebirds and hundreds of thousands of ducks, geese, hawks, songbirds, and monarch butterflies through the San Francisco Bay Area. The festival will feature guided bird-watching hikes, presentations on birding equipment and identification, a wild bird show, local art, and more.

Why it matters

The Flyway Festival is an important annual event that connects the local community to the natural wonders of the San Francisco Bay Area. After a period of uncertainty, the festival is returning to its original format, providing an opportunity for nature enthusiasts to gather, learn, and appreciate the region's diverse wildlife.

The details

The festival will take place at Moschetti Coffee's Roasting facility in Vallejo, with a focus on more intimate programming and fewer vendors. Highlights include guided bird-watching hikes, presentations on birding equipment and identification, a wild bird show, and a birthday celebration for festival organizer Myrna Hayes. The event is free, as it has been since the festival's founding in 1996.

  • The festival will take place from February 14-16, 2026.
  • The opening celebration will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, February 14.
  • The Saturday pop-up event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on February 15.
  • The wild bird show and Birding 101 presentation will take place on Sunday, February 16.

The players

Myrna Hayes

The festival director and president of the Mare Island Heritage Trust, who has organized the Flyway Festival for the past 30 years.

Fabrice Moschetti

The owner of Moschetti Coffee, who has invited the Flyway Festival to hold its pop-up event at his roasting facility.

Michelle Eliker

A Mare Island Preserve Field Guide and Birding Enthusiast who will lead a guided bird-watching hike during the festival.

Jenny Papka

The curator of Native Bird Connections, who will present the wild bird show on Sunday.

James E. Lewis

A local photographer and poet who will present a photo slideshow and reading during the festival.

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What they’re saying

“We are so excited to have been invited to pair our Flyway Festival Pop-Up with Moschetti Coffee's regular Saturday community coffee event in a fusion of coffee and nature.”

— Myrna Hayes, Festival Director and President of the Mare Island Heritage Trust (News Release)

“The difficult part for me is that I felt very personally targeted when I was forced out of the Island at the event. I don't know why I'm considered a threat to the powers that be, but I am.”

— Myrna Hayes, Festival Director and President of the Mare Island Heritage Trust (Times-Herald)

What’s next

The festival organizers are hopeful that this year's more intimate and community-focused event will resonate with longtime attendees and attract new visitors to appreciate the natural wonders of the San Francisco Bay Area.

The takeaway

The Flyway Festival's return to its original format and location highlights the enduring community support for celebrating the region's migratory birds and natural heritage. Despite past challenges, the festival's organizers remain committed to providing free, accessible opportunities for the public to connect with the great outdoors.