WEEKS BAY — It’s being dubbed a “Party for Preservation.” But when the Bald Eagle Bash was first in the planning stages, there was no way organizers could have known just how timely the event would be.

The Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, then collapsed and sank two days later. Since then, countless barrels of oil have spewed unchecked through a broken riser pipe, endangering area rivers, bays and marshes.

“The oil spill raises the importance of estuaries, and we protect estuaries,” said Walter Ernest, executive director of the Weeks Bay Foundation. “They serve as vital nurseries for shrimp, finfish and birds.”

The foundation will host the Bald Eagle Bash on Saturday, from 3 to 7 p.m., at the Tonsmeire Weeks Bay Resource Center adjacent to the Fish River Bridge on U.S. Highway 98, south of Fairhope (the former LuLu‘s Sunset Grill site). Those attending will enjoy a unique taste of coastal Alabama seafood prepared by local restaurants. The event will include a restaurant challenge and live music.

Advance tickets are $25 and are available at all area BBVA Compass and BankTrust locations, the foundation office and from the organization’s board members. They are also available online at www.baldeaglebash.com.

Tickets at the gate will be $30.

“This first bash will be the event to attend for those who love a great party, great food, great music and best of all, a great cause,” said Ernest.

Proceeds will help the foundation continue its mission of protecting the natural resources of coastal Alabama while supporting the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, he added.

The bald eagle, America’s national symbol, is one of many creatures under continuous pressure due to habitat loss and increased human disturbance, according to Ernest. He pointed out that it will take strong efforts to protect wetlands and nesting sites to ensure the continued existence of the eagle and other species.

The raptor was removed from the federal endangered and threatened species list not long ago, but continued habitat destruction could have an adverse effect on its revival. He said that’s one reason the foundation raises funds for acquisition of environmentally sensitive land for preservation, as well as for habitat restoration.

As the oil spill approaches Fort Morgan and other areas along the Alabama coast, Ernest is understandably worried.

“This oil spill is a manmade disaster,” he said. “We’ve gotten good at predicting hurricanes, but this is different from a recovery standpoint.”

Ernest noted because wetlands serve a vital role not only as a marine nursery, but also a natural filter, their destruction could one day impact the groundwater residents here consume.

Restaurants participating in the Bald Eagle Bash are Big Daddy’s Grill, Bimini Bob’s, Blue Marlin Restaurant, Felix’s Fish Camp Grill, Jesse’s Restaurant, LuLu’s at Homeport Marina, Saltwater Grill at The Grand, Tamara’s Steamer, Tin Top Restaurant and Oyster Bar, Wash House Restaurant/My Place Downtown, and Wintzell’s Oyster House.

Each eatery will serve up their top Alabama Wild Shrimp recipe and vie for Peoples’ Choice honors.

“With all the current attention on the Gulf and the importance of its fisheries, we are proud to be featuring Alabama Wild Shrimp,” said Dr. Phil Norris, event co-chair. “We’ve been assured there will be no problem with supply. We are more committed than ever to preserve the land that surrounds and feeds our estuaries. They are the nurseries for so much of our great seafood.”

In addition to a unique taste of coastal Alabama seafood, the event will also feature music by New Groove.

“With the help of the participating restaurants and the folks coming out to this event, we can continue this important work together — conserving our coastal wetlands for future generations,” Ernest said. “This is the first time we’ve held a fundraiser like this. We hope to make it an annual event.”

Co-emcees of the Bald Eagle Bash will be Shelby Mitchell from 95 KSJ and Darwin Singleton from LOCAL 15.

The title sponsor for the Bald Eagle Bash is Baldwin County Sewer Service. Other event sponsors include Coastal Land Trust, Eat Alabama Wild Shrimp, Tonsmeire Properties, American Foods, BancorpSouth, Bay Radiology, BBVA Compass, Budweiser Busch Distributing, IBERIABANK, Michael and Debbie Quinn, Russell Thompson Butler & Houston CPAs, Stephen Baker/Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Bayshore Title Co. Inc., Colony Homes, Faulkner State’s Gulf Coast Culinary Institute, Hampton Flooring and Design, South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, The Conservation Fund, Force 5 Walls, Inc., Michael and Cindy McBrearty, Riviera Utilities, Safe Harbor Financial/Jim Byrd, Southern Capital Services, Inc., Stone, Granade & Crosby PC, Thomas Hospital, Volkert Environmental Group Inc., Dr. Michael Houston, BankTrust, Miller’s Grand Events, Nall Printing, LOCAL 15 WPMI and 95 KSJ.

For more information, visit www.baldeaglebash.com, or contact the foundation office at (251) 990-5004.