Riverfest 2022

FORT WHITE ‒ The rivers and springs are an integral part of life in North Central Florida. They are the life blood of communities providing water for agriculture, wildlife and people. They are also vital to the economy. Florida leads the southeast in farm income, produces about 67 percent of the U.S. oranges and accounts for about 40 percent of the world's orange juice supply as well as numerous other crops. Tourism brings over 131 million visitors to the state, with an economic impact of $98.8 billion. The north central area of Florida brings many tourists to the pristine springs and rivers for camping, kayaking and cave diving.

But periodic droughts, groundwater pumping to satisfy ever increasing residential, agricultural, and industrial water demands, along with groundwater pollution from urban and agricultural factors, impact Florida's spring systems. Water flow in many of Florida's springs has been declining, while nutrient loading to the springs has been growing, affecting the condition of aquatic ecosystems and water clarity in the springs and downstream bodies of water.

RiverFest songwriting contest sponsor Our Santa Fe River (OSFR) was founded in 2007 as a grassroots educational organization to help raise awareness of the importance of the springs and aquifer. For the past 10 years the organization has sponsored the contest to raise awareness of the rivers and fund projects to protect and preserve the rivers and springs. The contest is open to all song writers, but the songs have to be original compositions about the Santa Fe River. The winning songwriter gets a prize of $300 and all songwriters who perform receive a video of their performance.

Originally a canoe and kayak sales and rental place that offered trips down the river, Rum 138 has grown and diversified over the years, adding a concert stage, art gallery, and a café. This year saw a larger crowd of several hundred people over the course of the day from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on a perfect sunny Sunday.

The Rum 138 bar offered locally crafted beer, national brand beer and wine and several area restaurants served food for the crowd. The event also featured a silent auction, with 74 pieces donated by the area’s leading artists and craftsman. A 50/50 raffle produced over $500, and booths from the Florida Springs Council’s member organizations provided information about the springs and aquifer to attendees of the event. Under a tent covering, Danielle Shmalberg was dressed as a mermaid, complete with fin tail for people to take photos with for a $10 donation. On either side of the songwriters contest, the band “In the Moment” provided additional music to stay with the event's theme.

One by one, the nine contestants took the stage to sing their original songs about the river with the audience applauding each performance. Ellen Bukstel took first place with a prize of $300, which she immediately donated back to OSFR as a donation. Mike Manetz and Alivia Hunter took second and third place respectively.

“Our goal is to make it easy for area residents and visitors to have fun and learn more about our precious water resources,” said Rhonda Long, event co-coordinator. “The events also will enable us to raise funds so we can continue our grassroots efforts to protect the aquifer, springs and waters in this area.”

#     #     #

email rcarson@

alachuatoday.com