The City of Hobart’s Storm Water District had a gorgeous day to celebrate their 4th Annual Water Festival! Designed as a way to educate and reach out to the community on the topic of storm water pollution prevention and water conservation, it has now grown to include several other environmental groups and attract several people from around the community.
With a DJ playing awesome tunes, a rock climbing wall, a magician, side walk chalk contests, bounce houses, and several other exciting activities, there were fun things to be done around every corner!
Participants included Indiana American Water, Rhythm Rhyme and Party Time, Hobart Park, Fire, and Police Department, Lake Michigan Coastal Program/DNR, Shirley Heinze Land Trust, NW Indiana Paddling Association, Lake County Divers Supply, Wolfgang Singers, South Shore Clean Cities, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US Coast Guard, Sea Grant, NIPSCO, Hobart Boy Scout Troop #69, Magician Jerry Herzog, Clarke Aquatics, Lake County Master Gardeners, Solarize, Shine FM, Kibble Kitchen Pet Food Pantry, South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, Tiny Teddy’s Childcare, Indiana Dunes Park Rangers, Indiana Conservation Officers, NIRPC, Midwest Wind and Solar, State Farm Insurance-Pam Ridings Agent, Hobart Kiwanis, and the Hobart Historical Society. What a great crowd!
Sherryl Doerr, Education and Outreach Facilitator for the Storm Water District and grand planner of the festival, could not have been more excited to have the event come back for a fourth year, bigger and better than ever!
“Each year we’ve added new exhibitors and vendors, even though the event began as simply as a way to involve and educate the community! With attendance from people of all ages, it’s great to witness,” Doerr said enthusiastically. “I love watching the children and their families learn about real environmental concerns in their city while having a ton of fun.”
Nikki Lopez, who assisted the Hobart Storm Water District in running and planning this year’s festival, was equally excited as Doerr.
“I think this festival not only offers a fun, free family day for the community, but it also teaches our children the importance of conservation and the importance of taking care of the planet.”
Festival attendee Alisha Robb was very excited to attend the fest with her family for their first time.
“I really wish we could’ve come in past years, this is so cool,” Robb said, “We heard talk around town and had to check it out, and my kids entered the Rhyme Time chalk drawing contest so we’re anxiously awaiting the results of that and are enjoying all the booths!”
The smiles on the faces of all the families there could say it all: what an awesome day, and what an awesome cause. Thank you to the Storm Water District for making such a day possible, and thank you to all the donors: Cabela’s, Potawatomi Nation, S.E.H. of Indiana, Butler Fairman & Seufert, Lawson-Fisher and Associates, Woodruff & Sons Inc., Austgen Electric, Indiana American Water, Albanese Candy Factory, Rhythm Rhyme and Party Time, Hobart Parks Department, Deep River County Water Park, Lake County Divers Supply, NW Indiana Paddling Assoc., Hanson Logistics, Jerry Herzog (Magician), Family Express, and Sharp School Services.