Reporting on the California River Festival!

Quick note (well not such a quick note actually) to let you all know that  Friends of the River’s California Rivers Festival was a truly fantastic event.

The Festival was held at the Waldorf School in Sacramento on Saturday, March 15th. Blue skies and warm spring weather added to the pleasant atmosphere of the venue. There were plenty of activities for all ages. Kids had a chance to partake in an interactive play about the Klamath Chinook Salmon and learn about the river ecology of various California rivers and the Sacramento Watershed. Kids at heart could tackle current pressing issues through a variety of workshops. Presentations ranged from how to increase safety and fun on river trips, where the best trails for hiking can be found in Sacramento and surrounding areas to more political topics such as the future of the Central Valley and California Water Management, campaigns to protect the precious Ventana Central Coast rivers and Tuolumne River  to the Tap.

One of the many highlights, (not that I’m baised,) was Scott’s slideshow presentation of his trip down the Blue Nile in 2004. The initially planned two week adventure evolved into an epic two month journey through Ethiopia. Scott kept it thoroughly entertaining…”donkey” shot and all.

Two must see films presented this year were “The Source” and “Three Women, Three Hundred Miles.” Our own Lotus local, Charlie Center, filmed and kayaked in “The Source” which takes extreme kayaking to headwater streams around the world. “Three Women, Three Hundred Miles” is exactly that; three women (Julie Munger, Kelley Kalafatich and Rebecca Rusch) running three hundred miles down the Grand Canyon on riverboards…amazing! Both films are captivating and showcase courageous and adventurous spirtits who have accomplished enormous feats of athletic ability.

Venturing outside after viewing films and attending workshops the smell of good food wafted my way. Laughter and conversation filled the air as families, friends and new acquaintances, noshing on tasty BBQ and salad, gathered on the grass or at various picnic tables. A live DJ played music through the day. There was even salsa dancing and a Jazz band in the afternoon.

Items at the swap meet went quickly and if anyone was able to stay for the auction, I too would like to know who won the vintage wetsuit and prized kayaks!

Ultimately, the day turned out to be quiet informative, entertaining and a whole lot of fun. This is an event not to be missed so if you unable to make it this year, I would highly reccommend you attend in the future. 

For more information or to become a member visit www.friendsoftheriver.org