Adirondack Waterfest will be held in Speculator on Friday, July 31 at the Village Park, from 10 am to 4 pm. The event features activities, exhibits, and demonstrations in a daylong celebration of water. Admission is free.

Twenty years ago, Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District’s first Adirondack Waterfest was held in Speculator on July 19, 1996. Each year, the event is hosted at different locations around the Adirondack Park.

The Adirondack Wildlife Refuge and Rehabilitation Center’s birds of prey will be on hand for a discuss of how clean water is important to these animals. The kids area offers crafts including make your own aquarium, frog munchers, zebra mussel rocks, and inked t-shirts; story time with the Lake Pleasant Public Library; a water slide and bouncy house. Ronny Raindrop will make a special guest appearance.

Visitors can learn about loons with the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, and check out the Hamilton County Sheriff’s fleet, the Department of Environmental Conservation’s air boat, and Joe Spadaro’s custom built steamboat. Invasive species presentations will be hosted by the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program and water quality talks given by the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District. The Adirondack Watershed Institute will discuss preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District’s 3D, hands on river model explains how a river flows. The Greater Adirondack Resource and Conservation Development Council will be on hand to talk about their skidder bridge loan program. Hawk Drilling will have well and pump system educational materials on hand.

Live fish demos, Oak Mountain snowmaking, and a Sacandaga Pathway hike will round out the day. Food will be availble and music by WYVS.

Exhibitor booths also include the Adirondacks Speculator Region Chamber of Commerce, Essex County Soil and Water Conservation District, Hamilton County Cornell Cooperative Extension, Hamilton County Public Health and Nursing Services, Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce, Lake Pleasant Sacandaga Association, Piseco Lake Association, Road Salt Alternative Working Group, and the Speculator Water and Wastewater Department.

For more information about Adirondack Waterfest contact the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District at (518) 548-3991.