PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
32nd HURON RIVER DAY CELEBRATION on SUNDAY JULY 15 OFFERING FREE RIVER ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES
ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 19, 2012 — Enjoy the beautiful Huron River and participate in free family river activities during the Huron River Day Celebration Sunday, July 15 at Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller Road in Ann Arbor. This Huron River Day Celebration is sponsored by DTE Energy Foundation. Additional support is being provided by Toyota, Whole Foods, Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner, City of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation and Huron Clinton Metroparks.
Event Details:
The Huron River Day festival will kick off in the morning with the Tri the Huron Triathlon starting at Gallup Park at 8 a.m., which includes a fun bike ride to Argo Park, run/walk around Argo Pond and a kayak down the Huron River from Argo Livery to the Gallup Livery. For more information and to register, visit www.trithehuron.com. Also in the morning at Gallup Park is a naturalist-guided paddling trip from 11 a.m. to noon.
The main Huron River Day activities will then be held at Gallup Park from noon until 4 p.m. Have fun discovering and learning about the Huron River. Paddle a boat with $5/boat canoe and kayak rentals, visit the exhibit tents to learn about the river and enjoy live music all on the banks of the beautiful Huron River.
Among the many activities offered are a children’s tent with art and science activities, bubble play with the Bubbleman, enviro-challenge game for children, have your picture taken in a canoe photo booth, catch a fish, see a live animal program with the Leslie Science & Nature Center, tour the Huron Clinton Metroparks Traveling Nature House, step in to a butterfly house and try out stand-up paddle boarding on the river.
Enjoy the history of the river with the Classic Small Boat Show. The music entertainment is provided by Juice from noon to 1 p.m., Gemini from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and Misty Lyn and Big Beautiful from 3 to 4 p.m. Throughout the afternoon, there will be performances by AuxWerks Dance celebrating the river through dance works. Food available will be a hot dog stand, Pilars tamales, Italian Ice, Zingerman’s baked goods and more. Ride your bike to the event, and your boat rental will be free. Bicycle valet parking will be provided by Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition.
Also on Sunday, July 15, the Washtenaw County Parker Mill County Park will offer tours of the Pioneer Grist Mill from 12 to 4 p.m.
Huron River Day History
More than 30 years ago, the Huron River Day Celebration began as a way to encourage partnerships among government, private and non-profit organizations and to educate citizens about the importance of water quality and Huron River preservation. Each year, this event draws approximately 2,500 people from the Ann Arbor community to celebrate the Huron River. For more information about Huron River Day call 734.794.6240 or visit www.a2gov.org/HRD.
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