Ortonville- Music, food, animals, crafts, water activities and more will be in abundance at the third annual Creekfest from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. June 11 at and around the Old Mill, 366 Mill St.
The event, sponsored by the Ortonville Downtown Development Authority, is intended to educate citizens about the community’s watersheds, lakes and headwaters and ways to protect them.
‘It’s a family event and a great way for children to learn about the environment and how it needs to be protected,? said Brenda Heffernan, a Creekfest organizer and owner of Mabelena Quilting Supplies and Comforts. ‘We have two headwaters in the community, the Clinton River watershed and the Flint River watershed, and we need to be aware of and respect them. The Creekfest will not only be informative, but fun.?
New to Creekfest this year are two musical acts, ‘Michigan’s Troubador? Neil Woodward and The Paint Creek Boys; an inflatable obstacle course, ‘The Kearsley Creek Bend?; and tethered hot-air balloon rides (weather permitting).
Other events include a ‘Birds of Prey? performance by Joe Rogers, in which live hawks, eagles and other raptors are featured; ‘Creekside Creatures,? with Jonathon Schecter showing live tree frogs, turtles and snakes; a minnow race; fly-tying demonstration; a yacht race on Kearsley Creek (kids make their own at the Brandon Fire Department in the morning and race in the afternoon); a search for creek critters; a native plant identification walk with Trish Hennig, a master gardener and woodland manager; and Celtic dance performances. Participants are encouraged to bring inner tubes and snorkeling gear for a creek wade and scavenger hunt.
A pancake breakfast will be at the Ortonville United Methodist Church from 8 a.m.- 10 a.m. and a lunch of hot dogs, chips and cookies is available for purchase at the Old Mill. Ice cream from Cook’s Farm Dairy can also be purchased for $1 at Creekfest.
About 700 people attended Creekfest last year and Heffernan expects a good turnout this year.
For more information on Creekfest 2005, call (248) 627-9100.