By Renee Larr
The Town of Zionsville is partnering with the Boone County Solid Waste Management District to hold Creekfest, the annual celebration of Eagle Creek. The event is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 19 at Elm Street Green, 165 Elm St.
“The first event was in 2013. Zionsville resident, Todd Settle, came to us and asked if the town could facilitate a cleanup at Eagle Creek because he had identified quite a bit of trash. We got around 41 volunteers and were able to remove over 2,600 pounds of trash from Eagle Creek,” said Gavin Merriman, assistant superintendent of the Zionsville Street and Stormwater Dept.
After the first successful cleanup effort, organizers created a celebration to coincide with the event.
“We had this fortunate problem with Eagle Creek. It’s not highly urbanized. It’s not highly impacted by trash, but we wanted to have this be an annual event to not only clean up but to add this larger celebration of Eagle Creek,” Merriman said.
The festival includes activities such as a Creek Stomp, a DNR bass casting station, fly-fishing and kayak demonstrations, rain barrel painting and live music.
“We’re trying to build in as many all-ages activities as we can,” Merriman said.
There will also be a staggered cleanup of Eagle Creek that day beginning at 9 a.m.
“The cleanup is going on the same time as Creekfest, but we want to get those volunteers going before CreekFest starts and then to have enough time to come back and enjoy it,” Merriman said.
There is no cost to attend Creekfest. Parking is limited, so walking, biking and carpooling are encouraged. Volunteers interested in participating in the Eagle Creek cleanup effort must register in advance. Visit zionsville-in.gov/forms.aspx?FID=64 for more information.
