The Ripple Effect: WaterFest is May 31st!

Voyagers Canoes will help you learn to paddle or help others all while enjoying the view.*

Are you putting together your summer calendar of things to do to keep the kids (or yourself) entertained, educated, and involved without busting the bank? Well consider the last Saturday in May booked!

WaterFest 2014
A Free Family Festival
Saturday, May 31st
11 AM – 4 PM (rain or shine)
Phalen Lake Park, St. Paul
Phalen Dr. north of Wheelock Pkwy

"Water Is Life" is the theme of this year's WaterFest. Sponsored by the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, the cities of St. Paul, Maplewood, Little Canada, Roseville, Shoreview, North St. Paul, Oakdale and Landfall, Ramsey County and other partners, WaterFest is a celebration of our clean lakes and offers an opportunity for outdoors, hands-on learning about the water quality, wildlife, and special ecological features of our beautiful watershed.

Join us for a fun-filled day of free activities from 11 AM to 4 PM (including pre-fest activities):

Start the day with the Farnsworth Marching Band pre-fest performance (10:30 AM)
Attend the Waterfall Dedication Ceremony at 11 AM. Meet at the bridge by the lake north of the pavilion at 10:45 AM to join the procession to the waterfall
Experience the lake with Voyageur canoe and solar pontoon boat rides; stand up paddleboard and fishing lessons; sailing demonstrations; canoes, kayaks and paddleboats for checkout and discounts on bike rentals
Participate in a fishing contest with prizes sponsored by Joe’s Sporting Goods and Asian Outdoor Heritage
Learn to Geocache and participate in the Geocache Discovery Hunt
Enjoy climbing walls, jump castle, archery, art, water games
Visit the Eco Arcade and take the Stormwater Goalie challenge. Take your own photo or let us do it for you and post it to our WaterFest Facebook page.
View student artistic, scientific and service project displays
Learn about landscaping, shorelines, watersheds and ecosystems from professionals and receive a native plant for your yard
View wildlife from in and around the lake
See a street sweeper and snowplow demonstrate how cleaner streets keep lakes cleaner
View art by local artists
Open Mic with emcee Tou Ger Xiong . To highlight your family-friendly music, dance, spoken word or another talent for 7-10 minutes, sign up for free HERE.
Participate in lakeside yoga before (10 AM) and during WaterFest
Bring a swimming suit and enjoy swimming and beach activities
Take a photo with LEAP Frog
Purchase food from vendors around the pavilion

Everyone can play a role in protecting our water resources. At WaterFest 2014 we will help families make the connection between activities in our neighborhoods and the health of local lakes, streams and wetlands. Again this year, the City of Saint Paul is combining their “National Get Outdoors” celebration with WaterFest — so look for many opportunities to celebrate the outdoors and enjoy one of the lakes that makes our area a great place to live!

For more information, call event coordinator Debbie Meister (651-647-6816