23rd Annual Southern Maine Children’s Water Festival To Draw Nearly 750 Students

05.17.2018

WHO: 746 southern Maine fifth and sixth graders and their teachers and more than 100 volunteers from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Portland Water District, Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission, University of Southern Maine and other local, state and federal agencies, businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Schools from the following communities will be in attendance: Gorham, Sanford, Strong, Bryant Pond, Hebron, Topsham, and East Waterboro.

WHAT: 23rd Annual Southern Maine Children’s Water Festival

WHERE: Sullivan Gym, University of Southern Maine Portland Campus

WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday, May 18

Contacts: Beth Chase, beth.chase@maine.gov, 207-312-2743

PORTLAND – Over 700 fifth and sixth grade students and their teachers from across the state will flock to USM’S Portland Campus Friday for a day of interactive learning about clean water and the environment as they attend the 23rd annual Southern Maine Children’s Water Festival.

The event provides opportunities for students to develop a sense of environmental stewardship through activities such as Dripial Pursuit, a quiz show on water issues with VIP hosts; an interactive skit from Ferry Beach Ecology School; and plenty of time to tour the exhibition hall, where there will be dozens of displays–including a fly tying practice, live aquatic plants and animals, a bacteria testing station, and more.

The media is encouraged to attend as the event provides great visuals. Please contact Beth Chase in advance of the water festival or via cell phone at 312-2743 the day of the event if you would like assistance in planning your coverage or guidance around the campus.