By Steve Weisman
This will be one of the scenes at the Okoboji Blue Water Festival as 40 clean water exhibitors line the Promenade to share their clean water expertise with visitors.
Excitement and anticipation are in the air with only a few days until the Okoboji Blue Water Festival, the premier clean water event in the state of Iowa, unfolds at the Preservation Plaza green space in Arnolds Park on Saturday, August 7. It’s a day that focuses ALL DAY on fun-filled clean water activities. Plus, it’s FREE!
Greg Drees, organizer of the Blue Water Festival shared his excitement for the August 7 event. “We are putting the finishing touches on what promises to be the best Festival yet. The day’s activities commence at 9 a.m. and run to about 4 p.m. or so. The day promises to be both informative with lots of interactive activities for families. We want to celebrate our successes toward clean water, while at the same raise public awareness of water quality issues in the Iowa Great Lakes and beyond.”
Drees also shared news about an award the Okoboji Blue Water Festival just received. “The Iowa Great Lakes has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 Community of Character Award, and the Okoboji Blue Water Festival has been recognized as one of the organizations that exemplify how people living and visiting the Iowa Great Lakes demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character Counts. On behalf of all the volunteers that have worked so diligently to make the Festival what it is today, I want to say thank you.”
Let’s look at the day’s activities.
Clean Water exhibitors
Up to 40 exhibitors ranging from lake protective associations, non-profits and conservation organizations will be spaced out along the winding sidewalk in the Green Space. “The exhibitors will be answering questions, sharing their clean water stories and addressing questions visitors might have.”
Kids’ and Family Activities
At the same time, a designated area will be reserved for the Kids’ and Family Activities. According to Drees, “We have a committee that has worked diligently to developing a dozen or so watershed education stations for parents and children. Our goal has been to make the stations both educational and entertaining. Over the years, we have learned that youngsters enjoy our interactive stations, and that they show a keen interest in enhancing our natural resources. After all, they are the future of that guardianship.”
Free fishing clinic
For anglers both young and old, a special fishing seminar will take place at 10:30 a.m. under the Big Tent. Clinician will be Dan Spengler, Senior Project Manager-Bait Development with Berkley/Pure Fishing. His topic will be “The Science of Fishing Lures.” He will also discuss the development of the Berkley Stunna, the lure that helped win the 2021 Bassmaster Classic. Plus, Spengler will bring plenty of product to share with those in attendance.
Clean water panel
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 says, “We have a wonderful lineup of speakers from around the State of Iowa. We are hoping to have a big crowd in attendance.”
Panelists include Adam Schneider, who is the Water Quality Coordinator for the DNR; Nathan Anderson from Practical Farmers of Iowa; Sylvia Secchi from the University of Iowa, from the Sustainability Department; Dr. Larry Weber, who is also from the University of Iowa and an Expert Hydrologist; David Thoreson, Worldwide Traveler and Photographer; Rich Leopold, who heads the Polk County Conservation Board; and Joe McGovern from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
Keynote speaker
Shortly after the panel discussion, keynote speaker Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., world renowned clean water advocate, will take the stage under the Big Tent. This should take place around 3 p.m. “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.”
Evening’s music
With the day’s activities over, the anticipation starts all over as the crowd waits for this year’s concert on the Preservation Plaza stage. Music starts at 6:30 p.m., with JD McPherson the opening act, followed by Colbie Caillat, multi-Grammy pop singer and songwriter.
According to Drees, “The entertainment will truly be the highlight of a great day. I want to thank all of the businesses, organizations and individuals who have given so generously and have volunteered their time and talents to make the 2021 Okoboji Blue Water Festival such a great event.”
The Festival was originally created by the Okoboji Protective Association (OPA) in 2016 to raise public awareness of water quality in the Iowa Great Lakes. Founded in 1905, the OPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of West Lake Okoboji and the entire Iowa Great Lakes watershed. Drees adds, “We continue to work in partnership with the OPA and Historic Arnolds Park, Inc. to make the Okoboji Blue Water Festival the premier clean water event in the state of Iowa.”
