Plenty of people will be making waves in and around the Ohio River this weekend, whether it be in a clean-up capacity or participation in America's largest paddle event.
Ohio River Sweep
In 2013, 18,000 people from Pittsburgh, PA to Cairo, IL joined forces to pick-up trash along the banks of the Ohio River. Even more are expected for the 25th year of theOhio River Sweep. ORSANCO's (Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission) Lisa Cochran says all counties along both sides of the river are taking part and you can find a location near you.
Cochran says the kinds of things people are finding is different from the past. "When River Sweep first started we were finding a lot of big things--literally appliances and in some cases, a couple of vehicles. Our volunteers are not finding the big objects anymore. We're still finding a lot of stuff, that's honestly, I think, washed down from the streets."
The river cleanup is only the beginning. Look for canoes and kayaks to crowd the river on Sunday morning.
Paddlefest
- Paddlefest Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo is Friday at Coney Island from 9:30-4:30. The free event teaches kids about water safety and provides an environmental education. It features paddling in a raft, an obstacle course, puppet shows and more.
- Outdoor Expo & "Roots on the River Music Festival" has boat demos, family fishing on Lake Como, live bands and overnight camping. It's 10am-midnight Saturday.
- Paddle the Ohio on Sunday features racing and a leisurely trip from Coney Island to the Public Landing in your own canoe or kayak. (The river will be closed to barges and motor boats on Sunday morning.)
Chairman of Paddlefest Brewster Rhoads says, "In some ways Paddlefest really is a pep rally for the river where its importance to our community, its value as a natural resource and as a recreational asset. So invariably, people get off the river at the end at the public landing and say, wow! I had no idea the river was so beautiful, so clean and so safe."
