By 1808Delaware
Mark your calendars! The 12th Annual Olentangy River Festival is back on Saturday, June 21, from noon to 4 PM at Mingo Park in Delaware. Hosted by the City of Delaware’s Public Utilities Department, this free, family-friendly event celebrates our natural waterways and the community’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
Enjoy live music, food trucks, fly-fishing demos, educational exhibits, a rain barrel raffle, and the presentation of the 2025 Conservation Awards.
But the real headline? This year’s festival needs your help to shine.
🌱 Nominate a Conservation Champion by April 18
Is there someone in your life who’s passionate about protecting our environment? A neighbor who composts, a local business that recycles religiously, or a civic group restoring native plants?
Now’s the time to recognize them. The Olentangy River Festival Committee is accepting nominations for the Conservation Awards through April 18.
🏆 Award Categories:
- Individual or Family
- Local Business or Organization
- Local Government Agency
Nominees must live or operate within the City of Delaware or the Upper Olentangy River Watershed.
Yes, you can nominate yourself!
📩 Submit a nomination today by contacting:
Lisa Roberts, Watershed & Sustainability Coordinator
📧 lroberts@delawareohio.net
📞 740-203-1905
Help us spotlight the people who are making a difference—big or small—for our river and community.
🎨 Rain Barrel Raffle: Be a Sponsor or a Painter
Love art? Love the environment? Want to help in a hands-on way?
The festival is also seeking rain barrel sponsors and painters for one of its most popular features: the Rain Barrel Raffle.
Rain barrels reduce runoff, conserve water, and lower utility bills—and when decorated, they become beautiful, functional art pieces.
💧 How You Can Help:
- Be a Sponsor ($30 each): Cover the cost of materials and installation kits. Sponsors can choose to paint their barrel or be paired with a local artist or student art program.
- Be a Painter: Artists can decorate a sponsored barrel at no cost (painting supplies not included). No experience necessary—just bring your creativity!
Barrel spots are limited, and participation is first-come, first-served.
Proceeds from the raffle benefit the Olentangy Watershed Alliance, which supports ongoing conservation efforts in our region.
📩 Interested in sponsoring or painting a barrel?
Contact Lisa Roberts at
📧 lroberts@delawareohio.net
📞 740-203-1905
💧 Join the Flow
Whether you’re nominating a river champion or turning a rain barrel into a masterpiece, your participation helps keep the Olentangy vibrant and thriving.
June 21 will be a celebration of community, creativity, and conservation—but it starts with people like you.
Let’s pour our hearts into it. 🌊
