The Water Festival Comes to Grand Rapids...

2nd Annual Water Festival at Riverside Park  

The 2nd Annual Water Festival, an event celebrating the Great Lakes, our water and the life that it supports, will be held at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids on June 16th from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. The event will highlight the finest acoustic music Michigan has to offer, including: Steppin’ In It, Daisy May, Seth Bernard, Drew Nelson, Ralston Bowles, Laura Bates and Brandon Foote, Hawks and Owls String Band, Jen Sygit and Special Guests: Drew Howard, Susan Fawcett and Peter “Madcat” Ruth.

In addition to informational tables hosted by groups involved with water and hands-on workshops, there will be educational presentations by leaders of local grassroots non-profit groups held between each musical act. Speakers will give presentations on issues including diversion, pollution, privatization and other threats facing water.  Presenters will include Mayor George Heartwell, and representatives from West Michigan Environmental Action Council, Clean Water Action, Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation and the MI Welfare Rights Organization.

According to Seth Bernard of the Earthwork Music (the festival co-sponsor), this is a celebratory call to action.  Says Bernard, “We have a responsibility living here in the Great Lakes basin and we can explore that responsibility together in a way that builds community.  The Water Festival was designed to bring people together through music, meaningful discussions and the sharing of ideas and information in a relaxed, festive atmosphere.   It’s about having a good time, and saying I can help, and I will help.”

For more information call Susan Fawcett, Earthwork Music at 231-622-2333 or visit, TheWaterFestival.org, EarthworkMusic.com or CleanWaterFund.org.