by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Hundreds of people gathered by the river to have a good time at the eighth annual “Take a Day Off on the Mississippi River.”
The event took place July 30 at Stearns County’s Mississippi River Park, seven miles north of Sartell.
As in previous years, the day was a relaxing, leisurely mixture of fun activities and educational sessions. Most visitors were families – parents, children, grandparents and grandchildren. Together, they took boat rides. Some learned to paddle a canoe. Others kayaked. Still others rode in a Department of Natural Resources boat to learn about electrofishing and identifying types of river fish.
Other activities included face-painting, a 1K sponsored by the BLEND Fit Kids Club, shoreline fishing, birdhouse building, leaf-and-bark rubbings, disk golf and demonstrations involving various qualities of water, river critters and other environmental topics.
Everyone at the event seemed to be having a good time, despite the intense heat and swarming mosquitoes. Mosquito repellent could clearly be smelled in the air.
Twenty-five area sponsors and their staff members made the event possible. The “Day Off” was coordinated by the Stearns Water and Soil Conservation District, and the Stearns County Parks Department.
Henry Patterson, 9, of Sartell puts together a birdhouse with the help of Mike Voz, a member of the St. Stephen Area Sportsmen’s Club. Patterson and his family were one of many families who enjoyed “Take a Day Off” July 30 at the Mississippi River north of Sartell.
Henry Patterson shows his newly built birdhouse.
