As warmer temperatures bake Central Ohio communities, people have been flocking in swarms to their local pools, lakes and rivers to have fun and escape the heat. Columbus residents have quickly learned to appreciate these basins of cool relief – but the Greenways Program at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) worries that residents lack the information needed to protect Columbus’ prized waterways.

In North Bank Park under the Columbus skyline, Riverfest will be welcoming the Central Ohio community to come together Saturday, June 30, from noon to 7 p.m. for a day of sun, music and fun on the Scioto River. At the event, all activities, including live bands, boating, rock wall climbing, art areas and educational exhibits, are free and open to the public.

“We feel that when you can bring people down to the water so they can really experience it, they will appreciate it and want to protect it more,” says Leslie Strader, senior education coordinator for MORPC.

Each summer the Greenways Program at MORPC plans this downtown community event to celebrate the Clean Water Act and bring the Central Ohio community together for a day of cost-free summer fun.

“The Clean Water Act’s purpose is to make sure the water is safe so people are able to drink it, swim in it and enjoy it,” Strader says. “Riverfest educates people on how to get water this way. If people want to enjoy clean drinking water or clean swimming water, they need to protect it. Riverfest builds awareness and tells people they have an impact.”

Riverfest is environmentally-minded at heart, but features fun events for the entire family. People are free to sail the Scioto River and overlook the Columbus skyline on boats, pontoons or canoes. Stilt walkers and jugglers from the High Jinks Dance Company will give passersby an unusual view of the riverfront atmosphere. Art lovers can have their caricatures drawn by artist John Bailey or make their own recycled art with Eric Marlow. Transit Arts will also have a craft station available for the young, budding artists in the group.

Riverfest’s annual photography contest will showcase competing photographs that demonstrate the beauty, importance or destruction of Central Ohio’s streams and watersheds – areas of land that drain into a river. Winning photographs will be displayed, and the winning photographers will be recognized on stage during the festival.

Throughout the day, live bands will keep crowds moving and grooving. Special performances will be made by Catwix and the Catbirds, Mousetrap (a childrens’ pop band), Megan Cameron and Amethystone, the Jason Quicksall Trio and the Spikedrivers. The Transit Arts Kids will also perform with spoken word and breakdancing.

After kids take a trip down the river, have their caricature drawn and listen to some live music, they can expand their minds with fun and educational exhibits at the park pavilian. COSI and the Columbus Zoo – who will be bringing animals to the event – are new exhibits at the festival this year. Environment groups, such as Friends of Scioto River (FoSR), Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW) and Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries (FACT), will also have booths teaching the importance of keeping Columbus’ waterways safe and clean. Upon attending these educational exhibits, children will be entered into a drawing to win prizes. Central Ohio Toyota dealers will also be in attendence, showcasing their latest environmental-savvy hybrid vechiles along the waterfront.

Participants who live near North Bank Park are encouraged to bike instead of drive to the event. North Bank Park is positioned along the Scioto Greenway Trail, and there will be a “Pedal Instead” bike corrall where bikes can be securely parked. However, if driving is necessary, there are many parking lots and garages in the nearby Arena District.

Food will be served at one large vendor area in the park. There, people will be able to find healthier options, such as fruit and vegetarian meals, or fast food items, including ice cream, pop corn and hotdogs.

Outdoor Source, 3121 Kingsdale Center, is the main sponsor of Riverfest this year. “It seemed like a good fit for us,” says Owner Andy Graham. “It’s good to be aware of the effects local rivers have on us. And personally, I would like to see people learning more about the rivers and what is available to them.”

This will be the third year Riverfest is celebrated at North Bank Park in Downtown Columbus. crowd of 1,500 to 3,000 is expected, according to Strader.

For more details about Riverfest and parking information call 614-233-4124 or visit the Web site www.riverfestcolumbus.org.