Clean Water Celebration Event set for April 18-19
This year’s Clean Water Celebration, presented around the theme Wildlife & Water, will kick off on the Peoria riverfront on Sunday, April 18. Opening ceremonies will begin at noon at the Gateway Building with a Native American Blessing of the River and a Parade of Waters.
Other special events scheduled for Sunday include:
– Clean Water Celebration Science River Walk at 1:00 p.m. Enjoy a walk along the Illinois River while learning about the plants, animals, and factors that influence the river and the people that depend on its rushing waters. Scientists, story tellers, and teachers will share their insight. Take part in fishing, water critter identification, water quality tests, activities, storytelling, and face painting.
– Keynote Dinner with at 6:30 p.m. at the GAR Hall. Guest speaker is Rainy I. Shorey, Ph.D. She is a Geneticist and Biologist, as well as the Environmental Manager at Caterpillar, Mossville Engine Center. Cost is $10 for students, $20 for adults, and lecture only is $10. Reservations are required. Please call 309-246-8403 or e-mail: info@sunfoundation.org by April 12 to reserve your seat.
The Clean Water Celebration will continue on Monday, April 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 at the Peoria Civic Center with an emphasis on educating local students, grades 5 -12. The event is free for registered classes and offers a keynote presentation with Wildlife Biologist Rainey Shorey, Ph.D., as well as presentations on recycling and conservation, storytelling and exhibits. Teachers are encouraged to make this a field trip. To register call Karen Zuckerman at 309-697-1325 or email kzuckerm@comcast.net.
The Clean Water Celebration is unique event with a goal to impress upon students and the public the importance of watershed protection and water conservation. By increasing knowledge in the community and schools, the Clean Water Celebration establishes the human right to clean water and a healthy environment.
The Clean Water Celebration is a joint effort between The Sun Foundation, an arts and science education group in the Tri-County area, and the Rivers Project, a high school program. The event is sponsored in part by grants from Illinois American Water, the Illinois Arts Council, Caterpillar, Ameren Cilco, CF Industries, Cargill, Tazewell County Health Department, the Central Region Groundwater Protection Committee, Bob and Joan Ericksen, Howard and Howard Law Firm, the Illinois EPA, IDNR, Illinois Humanities Council, Illinois Section American Water Works Assn., Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, the Tazewell County Regional Office of Education, Prospect TV & Sound, The Wayne E. Baum Family Foundation, The Illinois Humanities Council, Peoria County Recycling & Resource Conservation, Drs. Suellen and Girard Tanner, Tazewell County Solid Waste, Tazewell Recycling & Disposal Facility, Commerce Bank, , Central Illinois Community Foundation, Mark Twain Hotel, and the Peoria Visitor’s and Convention Bureau, Dr. Bob Williams Karen and Richard Zuckerman and honoring the memory of Richard L Koeller.