By Steve Weisman

Reflecting on last Saturday’s Okoboji Blue Water Festival, what can I say but…awesome! All Day – All Free and all about clean water in the Iowa Great Lakes and a model for the entire state of Iowa.

On a day when the temperatures were in the 70s with a northwest breeze, the green space at Preservation Plaza along the shores of West Lake Okoboji was the centerpiece for the premiere clean water event in the state of Iowa.

Co-organizer, Julie Peterson, was ecstatic about the day. “The entire day was incredible! There were so many families participating in the children’s area. Three incredible speakers, all topped off with a rousing concert with the Firm, The Nadas and Melissa Etheridge. A special thank you to the more than 60 sponsors and all of our volunteers that helped make this a magical day.”

There certainly was something for everyone commencing at 8 a.m., when several artists began turning slabs of concrete sidewalk along the Promenade into colorful clean-water themed murals. At 8:30 a.m. under the big tent, Dr. James Pease, Emeritus Associate Professor, Natural Resource Ecology and Management at Iowa State University, discussed the work being done to improve the 70,000 miles of interior rivers and streams in the state. Unfortunately, he says, “We have channelized rivers and tried to control them with dams, wing dams, current diverters and hard armoring ‘secretly hoping they’ll take our junk away. Storm sewers still run directly into our rivers, nitrates continue to enter or rivers, we still allow livestock direct access despoiling banks and water, carrying everything in them away. Unfortunately, sewage treatment doesn’t treat everything: prescription and non-prescription drugs from humans and livestock; personal hygiene products and micro-plastics; chemical additives and preservatives in food.”

But things are changing. “Fortunately, rivers are incredibly resilient,” said Pease. With the love of the river systems, Pease is a driving force in Iowa to nurse our rivers back to health. He has helped design and conduct the Master River Stewards Program for Iowa Rivers Revival and has also conducted biological and interpretive surveys for the Iowa Water Trails program…because as he says, Iowa’s rivers need our help. “Reversing human behavior has begun.” Pease says this and offers then offers all Iowans a challenge. “The decisions we make now are important for the future. What kind of nation do we want for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren?”

At 10 a.m., walleye pro Keith Kavajecz, presented a fishing seminar under the big tent with over 200 anglers in attendance. Scheduled to last an hour, the seminar went an hour and a half as an enthusiastic audience listened for tips on where to find fish, how to use electronics and techniques that work under different conditions. A simple but important statement from Kavajecz was this: “I use my electronics to find the fish. If no fish appear on the screen, then why fish that area? Once you find the fish, you match the technique with the water and where you’re fishing.” After the seminar, Kavajecz spent over an hour signing special Berkley Flicker Shads and Flicker Minnows for those in attendance, while Pure Fishing’s Senior Project Engineer bait development handed out free product provided by Pure Fishing.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Promenade became Exhibitor’s Row with 36 clean water organizations and groups lining the sidewalk chatting with bystanders as they walked the sidewalk. Co-organizer Greg Drees said, “I loved the way the day unfolded. Our exhibitors raved about the interaction they enjoyed with the public.” Terry Thomsen, president of the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club, agreed. “We had so many people, including parents and kids, that stopped to chat, talk fishing, renew their membership or become a new member. We increased our club membership significantly, and people really enjoyed being able to talk with our guest walleye pro, Keith Kavajecz.”

During this same time, the area with the Kids’ and Family Activities was filled with excited voices and giggles as the kids “played” positive clean water activities. Drees enjoyed observing the flurry of activity. “The kids were thrilled with the water awareness activities, and enjoyed the hands-on water tables, face and T-shirt painting, a fishing pool inflatables and free giveaways.”

At 3 p.m.., a crowd entered the big tent to hear keynote presenter, Chad Pregracke. He shared his story and his message about his own clean water journey and how he now has thousands of volunteers to positively impact the nation’s rivers. As he began his message, he paused and looked towards the shores of West Lake Okoboji and said, “The community in Okoboji is simply amazing with such great clean water initiatives being put into action. This place is packed with lots of people doing wonderful things! It is one of the best events I’ve spoken at in a very long time.” This coming from the man who was named CNN’s Hero of the Year in 2013!

As Pregracke shared his story of growing up as a kid on the Mississippi River and becoming appalled with the garbage that was in the river, he talked of starting on a mission of one river and one piece of garbage at a time. He then went from doing things by himself to getting other people interested, and by 1998, when he was 23, he founded the organization Living Lands and Waters. This nonprofit organization now includes a network of nearly 120,000 volunteers and lots of corporate sponsor all following the mission of cleaning up our rivers. He shared with the audience how each of us, one person at a time, can make a difference. The key to his success, though “is I have a lot of help from a lot of people. Change is slow; you keep going. It’s like a barge. You just keep working and moving until the momentum can’t be stopped.”

Time for a break

Yes, by 4 p.m., it was time for a break. As great of a day as it was, it was still a draining day! Plus, starting at 6:30, the Firm kicked off the musical extravaganza, followed by The Nadas. During their set, they asked the crowd if they were there to see Melissa Etheridge and the resulting roar was a positive “Yes!”

Shortly after 9 p.m., KUOO DJ Becky Thoreson introduced the headliner to a roar of approval as Etheridge came to the front of the stage! And then it was on…from the Golden Circle up front all the way east to the top of the hill, everyone knew that Melissa Etheridge was on the stage, and as Drees reflected, “She rocked a truly memorable experience!”

Add a special fireworks display, and the 2022 Okoboji Blue Water Festival had left a powerful impression on all who attended. Each of us, one at a time, joining forces with others can truly make a difference.

(photo by David Thoreson) Melissa Etheridge had the crowd rockin’ as she took the stage at the ’22 Okoboji Blue Water Festival

(photo by Steve Weisman) The Kids’ and Family Activities area bustled with energetic youngsters. They participated in water awareness activities, and enjoyed the hands-on water tables, face and T-shirt painting, a fishing pool inflatables and free giveaways.

(photo by Steve Weisman) Keynote speaker Chad Pregbrake (L) stands with co-organizers Greg Drees and Julie Peterson after his address in which he complimented the Okoboji area. “The community in Okoboji is simply amazing with such great clean water initiatives being put into action.”

(photo by Steve Weisman) Walleye pro Keith Kavajecz’s seminar drew around 200 fishing enthusiasts. Afterwards, he spent over an hour signing autographs and visiting with those in attendance.

(photo by Steve Weisman) Dr. James Pease shares his thoughts on “freeing” Iowa’s interior rivers.

(photo by Steve Weisman) One of the winners in the chalkstock contest.