Waterfest is my agency's annual celebration of community actions taken over the past year. Local schools participate as exhibitors and volunteers, and they provide a WaterFest "kickoff" parade each year. This year 266 students participated, assisted by 26 teachers and parents. Each year the students show the visiting public what they have learned and accomplished. Many students sign up to volunteer at WaterFest as greeters, as guides for our geocaching activity, and as gudes for our Raindrop Mystery tour.

This year a school band performed. Various other performers, mascots and clowns enhance our celebrations. Minnesota Raptor Center brings live raptors to display, and Wilderness Inquiry brings Voyageur-size canoes for family rides. DNR holds kids fishing lessons.

Our Watershed District agency staff, our county conservation district, county public works, MNDOT and city partners bring their exhibits, street sweeper, snowplow, stormsewer video truck and explain watershed issues and improvement projects.

Rain or shine, WaterFest visitors enjoy our festivities, meeting people from all walks of life interested in clean water and healthy ecosystems, and just catching up with their peers.

Clean water is the theme, fun is the medium, and "take action" is the message. The broad spectrum of participants is very rewarding to those who attend, as it is a rare event in which young and old alike from all walks of life work and play side-by-side in celebration of watershed stewardship as we teach our event visitors what watershed stewardship is all about.

For more information go to www.rwmwd.org and click on WaterFest. On the WaterFest main webpage, click on our theme song, check out our photo album and then put a reminder on your calendar to come next year the Saturday before Memorial Day to the Lake Phalen Picnic Pavilion.