By 1808Delaware
The Olentangy River will take center stage this June as Delaware’s annual celebration of conservation, education, and outdoor discovery returns for its 13th year.
The City of Delaware Public Utilities Department has announced that the 2026 Olentangy River Festival will be held on Saturday, June 6, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Mingo Park, located at 500 E. Lincoln Avenue. The free community event brings together environmental organizations, local residents, artists, anglers, families, and watershed advocates for an afternoon focused on one of Delaware’s defining natural resources.
Learning, Music, Food, And River Life
This year’s festival will feature a wide mix of activities and attractions, including information booths from environmental organizations, live music, food trucks, raffle prizes, fly-fishing demonstrations, rain barrel raffles, and live aquatic life displays. For visitors, the festival offers a chance to learn more about the river and the larger watershed that supports it. It also provides an opportunity to meet organizations and individuals working to protect water quality, wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, and recreational access throughout the area.
The festival’s hands-on nature has long made it a family-friendly way to connect residents with the natural systems that flow through and around Delaware.
Honoring Local Conservation Efforts
A major highlight of the afternoon will be the announcement of the Conservation Award winner or winners. The Conservation Awards recognize individuals, groups, businesses, and organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and preservation within the Olentangy River Watershed.
The awards are intended to celebrate those whose efforts help protect and improve the health of the watershed, whether through education, preservation, restoration, advocacy, or other forms of community leadership.
Rain Barrels With A Purpose
The festival will also include its popular artist-decorated rain barrel raffle, and as part of that effort, the Public Utilities Department is currently accepting sponsors for decorated rain barrels through May 29. Only a limited number of sponsorship opportunities remain, and requests will be accepted until the available supply runs out.
The sponsorship cost is $30, which covers the installation kit and preparatory supplies. Local artists have decorated the barrels, which will be raffled off during the festival.
All proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Olentangy Watershed Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring appreciation and stewardship of the Upper Olentangy River watershed. The organization works to enhance and preserve the watershed’s natural integrity, biodiversity, water quality, scenic beauty, and recreational value.
How To Get Involved
Those interested in sponsoring a rain barrel, or anyone with questions about the Olentangy River Festival, may contact Lisa Roberts, the City’s Watershed & Sustainability Coordinator, at 740-203-1905 or lroberts@cityofdelawareoh.gov.
Again, the 13th annual Olentangy River Festival will be held Saturday, June 6 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Mingo Park.
