World Rivers Day at Wekiva Island
Celebrating the River That Connects Us
Join us at Wekiva Island for World Rivers Day, a full day dedicated to celebrating, exploring and protecting the incredible Wekiva River and the Wild & Scenic River system we are fortunate to call home.
From rolling up our sleeves for a morning cleanup to getting out on the water, enjoying family activities, live music, local history and conversations with some of our area’s leading river advocates, the day is all about the place at the heart of Wekiva Island—the river.
This year’s celebration will also mark a very special milestone: the unveiling of the first phase of the Wild & Scenic River Mural Project at Wekiva Island.
The mural celebrates the beauty, wildlife, history and importance of our Wild & Scenic waterways and the community that has worked for generations to protect them. We’ll officially unveil the completed first phase at 6 PM.
Come for an hour or spend the entire day with us. Get your hands dirty, explore the Wekiva, learn something new, listen to some music, grab a bite to eat and help us celebrate one of Central Florida’s greatest natural treasures.
WORLD RIVERS DAY TIMELINE
8 AM–11 AM | River & Road Cleanup with Keep Seminole Beautiful
We’re starting World Rivers Day by giving back to the river we love. Join Keep Seminole Beautiful for a morning River & Road Cleanup and help remove litter from the Wekiva River and surrounding areas. Canoes are free of charge for those participating.
11 AM–5 PM | River Tours with Wekiva Wild
Experience the Wekiva from the water! Wekiva Wild will offer river tours throughout the afternoon, giving guests a chance to explore the ecosystem, wildlife and natural beauty that make this river so extraordinary.
12 PM–4 PM | Children’s Activities with Idea Bar
Our younger river lovers can get creative with hands-on children’s activities from Idea Bar, inspired by nature, conservation and the world around us.
2 PM–5:30 PM | Live Music with Lucy Spotts
Kick back along the river and enjoy an afternoon of live music from Lucy Spotts as we make our way toward the evening’s special programs.
5:30 PM–6 PM | River Talks
Gather with us for a conversation about the Wekiva River—its history, its future and the work being done to protect it. Hear directly from some of the people working to ensure the Wekiva remains wild, scenic and protected for generations to come.
We’ll hear from the following representatives:
- Wekiva Wild & Scenic River System Advisory Committee: Nancy Prine and Val Hahn
- Friends of the Wekiva River: Jay Exum
- Florida Springs Council: Ryan Smart
- Seminole County Commissioner: Lee Constantine
6 PM | Wild & Scenic River Mural Unveiling
We’ll cap off World Rivers Day with the official unveiling of the first phase of Wekiva Island’s Wild & Scenic River Mural Project. Join us for a special champagne toast as we reveal this new piece celebrating the river, wildlife, history and natural landscape that make the Wekiva so special.
You’ll also get the chance to speak with the artists that will be involved in the project who will help bring the mural to life. Those joining include: Mikel Wintermantel, Tom Sadler, Michelle Held, Scott Hiestand, Elisabeth Ferber, Charles Dickinson, Cathy Berse, and Barbara Ortiz.
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HAPPENING ALL DAY
The American Tapestry Exhibition at Gallery CERO
Step inside Gallery CERO to explore An American Tapestry, an exhibition celebrating American history, art and the stories that have shaped our community. Representatives from the Wekiva Wilderness Trust will be joining us with early American dress-up and photo opportunities, adding a little hands-on history to the day.
A Taste of Americana
Without A Paddle Café will be serving its All-American Hot Dog Menu throughout the celebration. And because we’re spending the day celebrating life along the river, they’ll also be serving up Catfish Baskets complete with hush puppies, fries and coleslaw.
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World Rivers Day is about more than admiring the water. It’s about understanding what it gives us, recognizing the people who protect it and making sure it’s here for those who come after us.
