By Maria Cook
On Aug. 18, Creekfest will return to Zionsville’s Elm Street Green for its fourth year from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is a celebration of Eagle Creek, which includes volunteer and educational opportunities as well as a festival with booths and activities. Volunteers will be able to participate in a stream cleanup and learn about the history and importance of Eagle Creek.
Gavin Merriman, an assistant superintendent at the Zionsville Street and Stormwater Dept., said Creekfest is a “festival with a purpose” because the goals are to teach people the importance of clean, healthy waterways.
“We wanted to provide opportunities for people of all ages and interests to celebrate Eagle Creek and our other precious water resources through stewardship, education and recreation,” Merrimen said. “The purpose of Creekfest is to help keep our waterways clean and to promote water quality awareness in Zionsville.”
This year’s celebration will include kayak and fishing demonstrations, a creek stomp that gives kids a chance to wade in Eagle Creek and musical entertainment provided by the Dumpster Drummers. At 12:30 p.m., a rubber duck race will take place. Participants can pay $1 to decorate a duck and race it down the creek. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers.
Merriman cautioned that parking may be limited at Elm Street Green, so festival-goers may want to consider carpooling, walking, biking or paddling to Creekfest.
Creekfest began in 2013, when Zionsville resident and fishing enthusiast Todd Settle approached the city to organize a stream cleanup. The event expanded and was officially dubbed “Creekfest” in 2015. Today, Creekfest is a partnership between the Zionsville Parks & Recreation Dept., the Zionsville Street & Stormwater Dept., Boone County Solid Waste Management District and the celebration’s founder, Settle.
