Adirondack Waterfest, the caravanning celebration of water, is coming to Arrowhead Park,  160 State Route 28, Inlet, on Aug. 4, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  There will be plenty to see and do, with activities, exhibits, and demonstrations for everyone.  Admission is free.

Twenty-six years ago, the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District birthed the idea of a day-long celebration of water.  The first Adirondack Waterfest was held in Speculator on July 19, 1996.  Each year, the event is hosted at a different location in the Adirondack Park.  Now, Adirondack Waterfest is coming home to Hamilton County for its twenty-first year.

WATER FUN
The kids’ area will be complete with a tsunami water slide and bouncy house.  Waterfest goers should be on the look-out for Ronny Raindrop, who will make a very special guest appearance.  CampStore! will host a free kayak experience on the beach of beautiful Fourth Lake.  People can learn about the Japanese art of Gyotaku, and make a fish print on rice paper.  Victor the Clown and Bumble Dee will be on hand for face painting and balloon art.  Magnificent raptors will wow the crowd, and Adirondack Raptors will educate event goers about the importance of birds of prey in the environment from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

JUNIOR WATERSHED STEWARD PROGRAM
Tom Collins, Adirondack Watershed Institute, will host the Junior Watershed Steward Program from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.  Kids will work through the book, take a pledge to protect waters from invasive species, then meet a steward.  They will also remove aquatic invasive species from a motorboat.

EXHIBITOR FAIR
The Herkimer County Soil and Water Conservation District team will teach about erosion with a stream table.  The Natural Resources Conservation Service will exhibit a 10-foot-tall soil health tunnel for visitors to walk through.  Adults can discover a clean water framework for Raquette Lake with the Adirondack Council from 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.   The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program will display invasive species information and host a children’s activity throughout the day.  Hamilton County Tourism will have on hand information about their Waterfall Hiking Challenge.  Cornell Cooperative Extension Hamilton County will spotlight climate change education through cold-water fish.  The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, Department of Environmental Conservation, and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department will also exhibit.

SNACKS
CampStore! will sell fresh squeezed lemonade and kettle corn.

Celebrate the unique waters of the Adirondacks at Adirondack Waterfest.  The event is sure to be splashing fun for everyone.

This event is made possible by the Finger Lakes – Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance.

For more information about Adirondack Waterfest, contact the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District at 518-548-3991, www.hamiltoncountyswcd.org.

Arrowhead Park in the Town of Inlet during July 4 weekend. Photo by Jamie Organski.