Activities

• 11:30 am: Nature Walk
• 11:30 am - 1:30 pm: Music by the Alberta Boys
• Noon - 2 pm: Be a Riverkeeper!
• 1 pm: Casting clinic by Foscoe Fishing
• 2 pm - 5 pm: Music by Melissa Reaves
• 2:30 pm: Nature Walk
• 3 pm: Casting clinic by Foscoe Fishing
• 3 pm: No-hands watermelon eating contest
• 3:45 pm: Raffle Drawing
• TBA: Shows by Mandy the Mayfly and the Stream Dr.

All Day Activities!

Passport Walk & Poker Walk - Kids can walk along the track and visit activity stations along the way. Collect stamps from all stations and go fishing for a prize! For adults, collect 5 cards along the track. The best poker hand wins! ($5 ante)

Explore the river, learn about critters in the creek, and meet the Watauga Riverkeeper team!

• “Passport Walk” - Walk along the track and visit activity stations along the way. Collect stamps from all stations and go fishing for a prize!
• Explore the river and learn about critters in the creek
• Make-your-own trail mix
• Fly-tying demos by Foscoe Fishing
• Recycling relay
• Field games
• Arts & crafts
• Featured local foods
• And more!

Watauga River & Valle Crucis Park photos by Megan Naylor

July 24, 2010
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (rain or shine)
Valle Crucis Community Park

Sponsored by Appalachian Voices and the Upper Watauga Riverkeeper

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

About the Festival

The Appalachian Mountains are some of the oldest and most biodiverse in the world. Freshwater streams like our own Watauga River have more species of salamanders, crayfish, and freshwater mussels than anywhere else on the planet!

At Appalachian Voices, we are committed to protecting the land, air, and water of the central and southern Appalachians. This summer, we want to show people what a wonderful resource we have in our own community, and why we should protect it.

Through the Watauga Riverkeeper Festival, we want people to recognize the important link between outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship. The event included games and activities for children and families, including nature walks, fly fishing demonstrations, relay races, field games, and (if the water level is adequate) a float down the Watauga River. Musical entertainment was provided by Melissa Reaves. The goal of the festival was to provide a place for people to come celebrate, have fun, and enjoy the outdoors.

Our Partners

We are excited to be partnering with the following businesses:

Celebrate the River’s Creatures!

Be sure to check out the cool river critters on the Front Porch Blog!

The Bog Turtle: A Shy Little Guy

Dragonfly Nymph: Nature’s Jet Ski

Hellbender: Sasquatch of the Salamanders