2024 Macatawa Water Festival Will Celebrate Water, Learning and Fun
By Sam Greene - ODC Network
If you’re looking for a day out with the family that's educational and fun, look no further than the Macatawa Water Festival. Hosted by the ODC Network and Windmill Island Gardens, this free event will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, July 13.
More than 20 local community partners will offer ways to explore the wonders of the Macatawa Watershed through kayaking, rain barrel workshops, a children’s bike course, live animals, games, and art activities. Also, learn about the watershed, celebrate the outdoors, and take home valuable knowledge on how you can enhance and protect this shared resource.
Here’s a look at just some of the water activities and educational experiences designed to engage all ages in learning about restoring and preserving our lake and watershed:
- CultureWorks will lead a favorite activity of theirs, utilizing “franken-bugs" where artists can combine stamps of different bug body parts to invent their own bug and take home their design.
- The Allegan Conservation District will lead a water-cycle watercolor craft to teach about each stage of the cycle.
- The Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery will bring a live, prehistoric lake sturgeon and discuss how the largest fish in Michigan is making a comeback in Michigan waters.
- 20 Liters will allow visitors to capture surface water and filter it using a 20 Liters filter, making the water clean and safe to drink.
- Ottawa County Parks and Recreation will have a replica of a historic Gabbagouache canoe.
- Holland Board of Public Works will show what water savings come with smart home and lawn water use.
- The ODC Network will provide both single and double kayaks for participants to use along the canal surrounding Windmill Island.
- Velo City will have bikes and helmets to teach kids bike skills and trail stewardship as they bike around the island.
Additionally, there will be three hands-on Rain Barrel Workshops at the Windmill Island Pavilion at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11 a.m. These workshops will focus on how to use rainscaping practices, like rain barrels, to decrease the stormwater runoff on your property. Registration for these workshops is required before the event. There will be a limited number of barrels, so register early online on the Outdoor Discovery Center Calendar.
If you plan to attend, be prepared for the weather that day as the festival will happen rain or shine. Bring snacks if you’d like, since there will be no food vendors on site, and bring your reusable water bottle to help cut down on the amount of waste this event makes.
This event would not be possible without all of the event sponsors and community partners. A special thank you to Boar’s Head, the Festival’s Watershed Sponsor.
Sam Greene is a Land & Water Intern with the ODC Network, studying environmental health and conservation at Calvin University.