White River Festival Announces 2016 Theme As Clean Water Initiative Continues To Expand
INDIANAPOLIS — The annual White River Festival will return in 2016 with 19 days of events highlighting the theme of history September 9-27 at venues and locations throughout Central Indiana. A celebration of the area’s land, wildlife, plants, streams and people, the White River Festival is now the capstone event of a year-round focus on “Clear Choices Clean Water,” an initiative started in 2010 by the White River Alliance to increase awareness about the choices we make and the subsequent impact on our lakes and streams.
“As this year’s Festival focuses on the importance of the river to our history, we are reminded every time we turn on the faucet that it is also critical to our everyday life and our future,” says Jill Hoffmann, Executive Director of the White River Alliance. “The Festival is a great way to rally attention around our most valuable community asset, but widespread, year-round participation by individuals in the Clear Choices Clean Water ‘call to action’ program is what really protects the river’s future.”
While the focus of Clear Choices Clean Water began in Indiana, the initiative is now a nationally award-winning program spreading across the country. Designed to educate individuals about water-friendly practices (using less fertilizer, landscaping with native plants, growing soil health, using less water, etc.) and important behavior changes needed around their homes, the program is supported by sponsorships from a variety of businesses, individuals, and municipalities.
As Clear Choices Clean Water continues to expand and impact communities nationwide, the start of the annual White River Festival provides the central Indiana community an additional resource and platform surrounding water conservation and civic education.