River Day Celebrates the Cuyahoga River

The weather forecast for Saturday is partly sunny and warm – perfect conditions for a successful celebration of the Cuyahoga River and the many recreational opportunities it offers area residents.

Edith Chase, longtime coordinator of the Kent Environmental Council's annual Cuyahoga River Day festival, said Mother Nature makes or breaks the event each year.

"Public participation is weather related," Chase explained. "If it’s good weather, we have a lot of people." If it’s rainy or cold, however, months of planning and hard work by the KEC and its dozen event co-sponsors attracts only a very small audience of nature lovers.

Chase said the theme of the 21st annual family-oriented event is "recreational opportunities – partly because of the great success of the (Crooked River Adventures) canoe and kayak livery" operated by Recreational Services.

"But there are all kinds of recreational opportunities because the river is so clean. It’s near the top of the Ohio EPA water quality standards, which is excellent water quality," she said.

Chase said recreational opportunities that will be showcased during Saturday’s free event at , located near the Stow Street Bridge, include fishing, hiking, leisurely walking, bird watching, picnicking and "just sitting on a bench by the river and enjoying it."

Following is a breakdown of River Day events:

• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – The day opens with welcome remarks by KEC President Charles Frederick. Booths set up at Tannery Park will offer fly casting demonstrations, a rain barrel display, Portage Hike & Bike interpretive trail information, bicycle rental information, brochures that allow participants to take self-guided history and nature walks, as well as a variety of hands-on activities for children offered by .

The advertised canoe and kayak trips offered through Kent State University’s Crooked River Adventure Center's Canoe & Kayak Livery will not take place, as the water level on the Cuyahoga remains too high for safe trips.

"The way it’s looking right now, the water level likely won’t go down enough (by Saturday) because the ground is so saturated," Dave Herpy, outdoor adventure and camp coordinator for Kent State’s Recreational Services, said Thursday. "As always, safety is our No. 1 priority."

Herpy said Crooked River will still have a booth at the event, and he will lead a 10:30 a.m. presentation on the sport of kayaking. "Our plans are to basically provide an open house to the community. People can take a look at our boats, sit in them on land and make reservations for future trips down the river," he said.

• Noon to 1 p.m. – The Kent Water Plant, located at 5860 Hodgeman Lane, just east of S.R. 261 at Summit Street, will host an open house and tours.

• 1 to 3 p.m. – An "open house" and nature walks sponsored by Friends of the Kent Bog will take place at the at the State Nature Center on Meloy Road, just west of S.R. 43.

• 5:30 p.m. – Kent Community Dinner will celebrate the river during its monthly potluck, with a spiritual plate offering by Bonnie Turtlefoot, music by Crooked River Stompers. The event will be held at the at Fred Fuller Park. For details call 330-678-8760.

Key sponsor of Cuyahoga River Day 2011 is Kent Environmental Council. Co-sponsors include Kent Parks and Recreation Department, Kent Historical Society, City of , Friends of The Kent Bog, Portage Park District, Portage Soil and Water Conservation District, American Heritage River, Record Publishing Co., Kent Garden Club, Kent League of Women Voters, Main Street Kent and Kent Community Dinner.

For more information visit KEC’s website or call 330-673-1193.