A press release from the McHenry County Defenders:

5th Annual “It’s Our River Day” September 15

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County and The Village of Algonquin are sponsoring the 5th annual “It’s Our River Day” celebration and clean-up.

The Fox River was low the day the Algonquin Founders Day Parade took place.

The event will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Cornish Park in Downtown Algonquin at the intersection of S. Harrison and Route 62 (at the dam).

It’s Our River Day, a statewide celebration, kicks off in Algonquin with speakers at 1:00 p.m., including a welcome by a Village representative. Brief presentations will be given by Gary Swick, Friends of the Fox River, Cindy Skrukrud, Sierra Club, Jodie Auliff, The Illinois Water Trailkeepers from the Illinois Paddling Council and Prairie State Canoeists, and Bill Silva, Prairie Coast Paddlers.

The Prairie Coast Paddlers will give kayak demonstrations after the talks conclude and at 2:00 p.m. the clean up begins. The Illinois Water Trailkeepers from the Illinois Paddling Council and members from the Prairie State Canoeists will conduct an in-river clean up between Cornish Park and Buffalo Park. The Sierra Club will provide bags and gloves for the shoreline clean up. At 3:00 p.m., Friends of the Fox River will do water quality monitoring for those interested in learning. And, Gary Kanner of the Cub Scouts will hold geocaching for the kids.

Come celebrate the beautiful Fox River and help keep her clean while learning more about local environmental and conservation groups. The event is free and open to the public. Groups are welcome.