By Tyler Roush
For the Opelika Observer
The Lee County Water Festival is looking to double its attendance in 2019.
The event, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Opelika Sportsplex on May 1 and May 2, is expected to have over 1,200 fourth-graders attend to learn more about water quality.
“We’re targeting fourth-graders on education as far as water quality goes,” said Patrick Rohling, an organizer for the event. “How the water cycle works, everything from our tap water, our drinking water, down to the creeks, rivers and even into the oceans.”
With the theme of “Make Every Drop Count,” students from 10 schools across Lee County will participate in three educational stations. Students will first learn about the water cycle by creating multi-colored bracelets before working with mini-filters to show how natural filters work in the environment.
Its final station will allow students to create an edible aquifer out of sodas and candies. As a “grand finale,” the event will close on a magic show by environmental magician Paul cash.
“We’ll get them good and sugared up,” Rohling said.
In addition to its targeted audience, the 16th annual Lee County Water Festival is free and open to the public.
Volunteers and additional donations for the event are welcome. Anyone looking to volunteer or donate can find more information at https://www.auburnalabama.org/lee-county-water-festival.html, or by contacting Rohling at patrick.rohling@al.usda.gov.