Waterfest 2007 – Saturday, August 4th Our 8th annual Waterfest is rapidly approaching. This year’s event will once again be held at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, from 5:00 – 8:30. As in years past, free hot dogs and chips will be served while they last. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with the entertainment from the Rain Dogs and an exhibit from the KC Zoo. This year we will also be introducing our very own Watershed Band “The Mojo Coyotes”. As always, there will be plenty of “water” related activities. The Passport program will be back and we’ll have some great new raffle prizes for participants. Come join the fun! WATERFEST 2006 Recap Lenexa’s 7th Annual WaterFest was held on Saturday, August 5, 2006 at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Approximately 3,000 Lenexa residents braved the heat to join City staff and a dozen volunteer organizations in a celebration of our continued commitment to Lenexa’s Rain to Recreation program. The afternoon was packed with family fun, entertainment, water quality, and environmental education. The crowd was welcomed by Mayor Mike Boehm. Free hot dogs and chips were provided by HYVEE, and nearly 5000 bottles of water were given away. Family fun activities included cane pole fishing, paddleboats, waterslides, moonwalks, and face painting, as well as the ever popular “fireman’s deluge”. Musical entertainment was provided by The Rain Dogs and Operation Wildlife joined WaterFest once again with their popular bird presentation. A new addition this year was a Frisbee presentation by the KC Disc Dogs. Event attendees were given a “WaterFest Passport” that had a map of the event with a listing of the various educational booths. By visiting booths and learning more about Rain to Recreation projects, native prairie plants, water quality, recycling, outdoor fun, environmental protection, and water safety, participants became eligible to win great prizes, including beach towels, lunch boxes, ice cream coupons, Wizards Tickets, a Rain Barrel and a rolling igloo cooler. WaterFest is made possible by a successful collaboration between the Parks and Recreation Department and Rain to Recreation of Public Works. Participating volunteer organizations included: KDHE, MARC, EPA, US Army Corps of Engineers, Hillsdale Water Quality Project, Streamlink, Johnson County Environmental, Blue River Watershed Association, Ernie Miller Nature Center, ReStore and the Heart of America Fly Fishing Club. Thank you to all those who contributed time, talent, and ideas! And thank you to the citizens of Lenexa who continue to demonstrate their active support of valuable, innovative programs like Rain to Recreation.