10th Annual RiverFest Celebrates the Santa Fe River
There is something for everyone to enjoy at the multiple event RiverFest 10th Annual Fundraiser starting March 21st: the RiverFest Plant Hike (an educational land tour), the RiverFest Paddle (an educational water tour) and the RiverFest Singer/songwriter Contest which offers songwriters the opportunity to perform and have their original songs, about the Santa Fe River, heard by festival attendees and a panel of judges from the Gainesville area music industry.
The “explore, learn and play” RiverFest events are sponsored by Our Santa Fe River Inc., an all-volunteer non-profit organization working to bring some much-needed attention to area water resources. Net proceeds from RiverFest will benefit The Florida Springs Council, a consortium of member organizations from all over the state who are working together to ensure the restoration, preservation and protection of Florida’s freshwater springs and the Floridan aquifer.
RiverFest Plant Hike w/Dr. Colette Jacono
A Floodplain Forest & Swamp
Saturday, March 21, 2020
9am to 11am, Gilchrist County Santa Fe River Park
Colette Jacono, PhD, a botanist and plant ecologist specializing in aquatic and wetland plants, will lead a short hike through a low-lying hardwood forest and swamp adjacent to the Santa Fe River. Springtime ground covers of lilies, ferns, violets and sedges will pave the path to springs and sloughs where otters may be seen foraging for breakfast. Learn how to recognize tree species such as pop-ash, elm, and hornbeam that characterize a community that is in many ways part of the river itself.
$25 donation, which includes ticket to March 29 Songwriters Contest; limited to 25 people
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS!
RiverFest Paddle & Spring Hop
w/ Master Naturalist Lars Anderson
Saturday, March 28, 2020, 10am to 3pm
Hwy 27 Boat Ramp at Santa Re River
A nine-mile section of Santa Fe River, from Hwy 27 to Hwy 47, will be paddled over five hours, guided by Master Naturalist Lars Andersen. The route will include the river’s most famous springs: Poe, Rum Island, Blue, Ginnie, Devil’s Ear & Eye, July and Myrtles Fissure. In addition, paddlers will pass swallets, where the water drains through underwater cracks into the underground aquifer. Andersen, a full-time river guide, also will discuss the river’s unique geology, history and lore of the area plants and animals.
$50 (with or without boat) includes shuttle & ticket to RiverFest Songwriters Contest, limited to 25 people.
CALL ADVENTURE OUTPOST FOR RESERVATIONS
386-454-0611
RiverFest Celebration
Sunday, March 29, 2020
1pm to 7pm;
Rum 138, 2070 SW County Rd 138, Fort White, FL 32038
The RiverFest Celebration will feature the singer/songwriter contest emceed by Storm Roberts of 98.5 KTK, booths from the Florida Springs Council’s member organizations, face painting for everybody, locally crafted beer, food and wine, a 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction with many interesting and unusual items including pieces donated by the area’s leading artists and craftsman. $20 donation, 12 and under free. Purchase tickets online OR at the gate on the day of the show.
Participating in Our Santa Fe River Inc.’s “RiverFest” singer/songwriter contest offers songwriters the opportunity to perform and have their original songs (about the Santa Fe River) heard by festival attendees and a panel of judges from the Gainesville area music industry.
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS!
Remember that RiverFest is Our Annual Fundraising event! Your donations help keep our Santa Fe River protected now and for future generations.
“Our goal is to make it easy for area residents and visitors to have fun and learn more about our precious water resources,” said Rhonda Long, 2019 RiverFest Event Chair. “The events also will enable us to raise funds so we can continue our grassroots efforts to protect the aquifer, springs and waters in this area.”
JOIN US FOR RIVERFEST!
Join us as we give our Santa Fe River a Voice, where the science of water meets original music, arts, dance, and water magic!
Watch videos of the past winners songs, from 2010 through 2018, below.
Watch all the Song Contest videos and subscribe to our YouTube channel here.
For more information about RiverFest Events
Contact Our Santa Fe River Inc’s RiverFest Event Chair
Daphne Webb
greenturtleweddingsandevents@gmail.com
(786) 897-2891
