News Release

Susquehanna River Takes Center Stage at City Island Festival

Come spend the day on the river, enjoying one of Central Pennsylvania's most unique outdoor festivals - the annual Susquehanna River Celebration.

The 2002 Susquehanna River Celebration takes place on Saturday, June 1, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Harrisburg's Carousel Pavilion on City Island. The event is held rain or shine and admission is free. The River Celebration, brimming with fun and entertainment for all ages, includes an assortment of audience-participation activities, live birds of prey, music, and children's programs.

While the event's theme, We All Live Downstream, primarily focuses on celebrating the progress made toward improved local and downstream water quality, the festival features a diverse assortment of hands-on activities for both children and adults, ranging from face-painting and balloon-making to recycling and water conservation information.

National recording artist Ray Owen returns to entertain the young and young at heart with his one of a kind musical act - Animal Odyssey, which chronicles adventures in the animal kingdom.

Carolyn Koerber, of the Puppet Factory, will host two performances of The Knee-High Man, a fable that originated in Alabama.

Throughout the day Otto the Otter, the clean water mascot, mingles with the crowd while Buttons the Clown hosts a variety of children's games.

A number of local crafts persons are on hand offering gourd art, wreaths, candles and other items. Craft demonstrations, such as colonial papermaking and flax linen demonstrations are scheduled.

The River Celebration features a concession area offering a number of tasty treats including funnel cakes, sausage and steak sandwiches, iced tea and fresh-squeezed lemonade.

The event is co-sponsored by the PA Chesapeake Bay Education Office (administered by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc.) and The River 97.3 WRVV. For more information call (717) 238-PACD (7223). Financial support for the event is provided through an education grant with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.