By Steve Weisman

As we move into the end of June, we’re only a few days away from the Fourth of July. It is certain to be a festive atmosphere this year. There will certainly be Fourth of July ceremonies to remember our veterans who have served to protect the freedoms we will be observing on this special holiday.

Lots of family activities will take place, and much of it will be on the waters of our Iowa Great Lakes. These are public waters, and we have every right to recreate on these waters. However, we must remember the need to be stewards of our waters. We need to be the caretakers of these waters that we love so much.

I know I have mentioned it before, but we as a people must do better about our littering. No matter where we go, we can see the evidence of what people have left behind! Trash! Trash! Trash! We do have groups, families and individuals who do volunteer to pick up trash, but that only scratches the surface.

As adults, we need to be the leaders in this effort. Why is it so hard to take home what is left of what we brought to the lake? Show our youth the right way to handle this issue. As a matter of fact, I have seen youngsters put their adult chaperones/parents to shame by reminding the adults to pick up and take home their litter.

Enough of the lecture! Let’s display stewardship and a pride in our public waters.

Okoboji Blue Water Festival: just around the corner

As we talk stewardship and clean water, we can’t forget the Okoboji Blue Water Festival slated for Saturday, August 7. After last year’s postponement, the excitement is even greater in 2021. Held at the Preservation Plaza green space in Arnolds Park, the Festival offers families fun-filled clean water events and activities that have made this the premier clean water event in the state of Iowa. Best of all, it’s FREE – ALL DAY!

Greg Drees, organizer of the Festival, looks forward to all that the Festival has to offer this August. “What a wonderful feeling it is to be able to bring the Festival back to not only highlight the great clean water efforts here in the Iowa Great Lakes area, but to also have clean water experts share just how far we still have to go!”

Festival agenda        

The daytime activities will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Utilizing the winding sidewalk in the Green Space, more than 30 exhibitors ranging from lake protective associations, non-profits and conservation organizations will be spaced out through the sidewalk answering questions and sharing their clean water stories.

At the same time, a designated area will be reserved for the Kids’ and Family Activities. Drees notes, “We plan to have a dozen or so watershed education stations for parents and children that will be both educational and entertaining. We must remember that the youngsters are the future of everything.”

Presentations, panel discussions and keynote speaker are all part of the activities under the Big Ten.

(photo submitted) Dan Spengler, shown with another trophy walleye, will offer a special fishing Seminar the Saturday morning of the  2021 Okoboji Blue Water Festival.

Of course, anglers are an important piece of the clean water puzzle. For anglers both young and old, a special fishing seminar will take place at 10:30 a.m. under the Big Tent. This year’s clinician will be Dan Spengler, Senior Bait Development Engineer with Pure Fishing.

Another popular component of the day is the panel discussion on important clean water topics, which will take place at 1 p.m. under the Big Tent. This year’s panel is a distinguished group of clean water experts. Drees notes, “As we get closer to the date, we will share more information about the panelists, format and types of questions that they will be asked.”

Following the panel discussion will be keynote speaker Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., world renowned clean water advocate, will take the stage under the Big Tent.  “All people need to know about Kennedy is, that he has spent his entire adult life traveling the globe talking about water. Everything is focused on water, and we’re just really excited about this part of our festival.”

After a late afternoon break, the evening entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m., with JD McPherson the opening act, followed by Colbie Caillat, multi-Grammy pop singer and songwriter. “The entertainment will definitely be an awesome way to end this great day celebrating clean water. I can hardly wait for Colbie to take the stage. She is definitely going to WOW the audience with her musical talents.”

Drees also thanked the public for their great support. “None of this could happen without all of the businesses, organizations and individuals who have given so generously and have volunteered their time and talents.”