Release Date: June 6,2024
City of Akron to Host 10th Annual Blue Heron Homecoming Festival
Akron, Ohio, June 6, 2024 — The City of Akron will host the 10th annual Blue Heron Homecoming on Saturday, June 15, 2024 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Mustill Store and surrounding park located at 57 W. North Street. This free, family-friendly event will be a day of education and fun for residents of all ages. The zero-waste event will take place rain or shine.
The Blue Heron Homecoming is an annual environmental festival that provides community members with a chance to learn about the Akron Waterways Renewed! (AWR!) program. The festival features representatives from the City of Akron, firms involved with the AWR! program, and community partners, including local non-profits and environmental groups. This year’s theme is “Where Does Your Water Shed?”
Highlights of the event include the following:
- Watershed education;
- Multiple chances to win a rain barrel;
- Hands on exhibits for kids & adults;
- Free lunch provided by The Ice Bucket;
- Fun giveaways;
- Two dozen exhibits with fun activities; and
- Free tree giveaways
“The Blue Heron Homecoming festival is always a great opportunity to celebrate the progress we’ve made in improving our waterways, and to educate the general public on the basics of clean water,” said Mayor Malik. “The city has worked tirelessly to make drastic improvements to the Water Reclamation Facility and overhaul our sewer infrastructure and it’s evident in the state of our waterways today.”
The Blue Heron Homecoming festival started in 2015 and is named for the great blue herons that nest nearby. This four-foot-tall bird is native to Ohio and was in serious decline due to the poor water quality of the Cuyahoga River. Since efforts have been made to improve water quality, the great blue heron has returned to the area, and is commonly seen along the Towpath Trail, Ohio & Erie Canal, Cuyahoga River, and Little Cuyahoga River. This year’s homecoming is concentrating on our Watershed and educating the public on what it encompasses.
There is no public parking at Mustill store during the event, so parking locations will be clearly marked at: St. Vincent St. Mary Highschool (15 N Maple Street) and CVNR Northside Parking (27 Ridge St). Shuttles will run in continuous loops to transport guests to and from the entrance back to both parking locations.
For more information, please visit Blue Heron Homecoming | Akron Waterways Renewed!.