By Christiane Daily
Staff Writer
Brandon Twp.-Bring the family to Ortonville for CreekFest 2003, a river day event to celebrate the shining jewel of the community, Kearsley Creek.
The Flint River Watershed Coalition, the Clinton River Watershed Council and the North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy have joined forces to help Ortonville go with the flow of Kearsley Creek, a designated trout stream and headwaters of the Flint River.
Truly a community event, the festivities start with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Ortonville Untied Methodist Church. Following the breakfast is drain stenciling, a creek wade at the Old Mill, a creek critter search a native plant and medicinal herb identification walks at Narrin Park, all starting at 9 a.m.
At 11 a.m. kids can dress up like a creek critter (insect, bird, fish or mammal that lives in and near the creek) and join the parade from Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School to the Old Mill. Adults are welcome to dress up as well.
From noon-4:30 p.m., see live hawks, eagles and other raptors, enjoy the GOB River Dancers, the Kearsley Creek band, and a fly-casting demonstration.
Check out the demonstrations, exhibits and videos in the exhibition tent and the Mann School House. Learn about the wonderful rivers, creeks, and wetlands in Brandon Township and what we can do to keep them healthy. Be sure to buy a minnow and enter the Great Minnow Race, with special trophies for the winners.
CreekFest coincides with the DNR Free Fishing Day, so kids won’t need a license to fish, though they will need adult supervision.
CreekFest raffle items will include a trout sculpture by chainsaw artist, Gary Elzerman, a folk art trout, hand painted by CreekFest organizer Lois Robbins, and an Aldo Leopold bench, built by Jonh Gault.
There will be abundant parking at Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School, with free shuttle service to and from the Old Mill between 11:30 and 4:30. For more information call NOHLC at (248) 846-6547 or Lois Robbins at (248) 969-2518.
nWhat is River Day?
For many years, American towns that have rivers have been celebrating River Day on the first Saturday in June. River Day celebrations have taken place in both the Flint River Watershed and the Clinton River Watershed. Since Brandon Township lies in both of these watersheds and holds headwaters for both the Flint River (Kearsley creek) and the Clinton River (Paint Creek), the need for public awareness and appreciation of these unique waterways is great. Ortonville’s historic Old Mill is on the banks of Kearsley Creek, a designated trout stream, which runs through Ortonville.