The first Ark River Water Festival was held in 2001 in Garden City at the Intermediate Centers. The festival is a one-day workshop that focuses on all aspects of water. From general water quality issues to simulating rainfall, students are given the opportunity to take an in-depth look at this most vital resource.

Jennifer Long the former NPS Coordinator in Finney County really had the vision to start this festival after seeing one put on in Nebraska. She went in to the two Intermediate Centers in Garden City and talked to the principals about having the festival for a full day at each school. The amazing thing about this is that each school is just basically turned over to our committee for a full day. We bring in all of our presenters and just take over all of the classes in the school. We also bring in traveling students from Gray and Kearny Counties. These two centers their principals and staff are amazing.

We feel that our festival has been a great success, we are going into our sixth year and that alone is quite a milestone. Our festival is so successful because of all of the people involved from sponsors to presenters. Year after year they return to help and really enjoy it. The partnership between the three counties is also what makes this festival successful.

I believe the fact that we are allowed to just take over the schools to hold this festival is what makes our festival unique. Another thing that is unique about the Ark River Water Festival is that we service approximately 1500 students in a two-day period. We are the largest educational water festival in the state of Kansas!

The challenge we face every year is funding, we have been lucky to have our local county sponsors donate yearly but we are always trying to find different grants that we qualify for. Another challenge we face is trying to find a date that all three counties can agree on for their individual school.

I think some advise would be to use your local resources whether it be funding, or for volunteers. Community involvement is the key to making these festivals successful!