By Susan Bromley

Staff Writer

Ortonville-CreekFest is returning to its roots in a one-day event.

The 2016 CreekFest, planned for June 11, is the 13th annual celebration of local waterways including Kearsley Creek, with a focus on the importance of environmental stewardship. After several years of low attendance, the event was encompassed in a 4-day event the last two years that also included fireworks, a carnival, and beer tent. Now the spotlight is returning to the original intent, education on the creek and how to preserve it, without losing the fun.

“I’m really excited about the direction CreekFest is taking this year,” said Molly LaLone, who helped plan the event prior to resigning as DDA executive director. “We will have demonstrations and displays all over at the Old Mill. We will talk about the creek and projects we want to do so people can kayak on it… Our creek, we don’t get to see most of it because you can’t unless you’re on it, and it is beautiful.”

Kearsley Creek is a designated cold water trout stream and LaLone notes there are laws regarding open waterways which are still being researched, but the DDA is interested in signing up volunteers to clear debris from the creek at the festival, as well as educating attendees and entertaining them in a variety of ways.

The fun begins with coronation of a Headwaters Queen at 9:30 a.m. and a parade that will include the Brandon High School Marching Band and kicks off at 10 a.m. from Fletcher Intermediate School, 300 South St. The parade, which also features antique tractors, will end at the Old Mill campus, where nearly all events take place. Musical performances are planned by Sweetbriars, GreenFire, and Katelyn Vallier. Various demonstrations will take visitors back in time, with blacksmithing, loom weaving, wool spinning, quilting, sourdough and yogurt-making, caramels and cotton candy-making, butter churning, and honey bees in enclosed hives all on display.

The popular Birds of Prey, presented by Joe Rogers, will be back this year with performances at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and there are plenty of hands-on activities and old-fashioned games for kids, as well as stories in the Old Mann Schoolhouse.

For more information on CreekFest and times for events, visit www.downtownortonville.org