Hobart’s Water Fest experienced a lengthy dry spell before its return Saturday on a cool but sun-filled morning.
The festival, previously known as the Water Festival, was held this year at Robinson Lake Park off Liverpool Road, with a number of folks of all ages enjoying the amenities.
The event had been a long-standing tradition in Hobart until 2020, when COVID-19 concerns caused city officials to cancel it, said Tim Kingsland, the city’s sanitary/stormwater district coordinator.
“We wanted to bring it back on as a family-friendly event that showcased the environment and here we are today,” Kingsland said.
The free event included hands-on activities, wildlife education and opportunities to connect with local organizations working to protect and celebrate natural resources, Kingsland said.
Local organizations, which had booths set up and provided giveaways, included both Boy and Girl Scouts, Clean Community for Hobart, Save the Dunes and Friends of Robinson Lake.
Russel Brodhacker, marketing and planning coordinator for the city, said this year’s event is one that will be further discussed afterward by city staff to determine how it can be improved.
Brodhacker said he joked to other city officials that “this will be our worst year,” meaning that there will be revamping and plans to make the event better in the coming years.
“We hope to be back bigger and better next year,” Kingsland said.
The event attracted several families, including some with three generations, and many said they just wanted to get outside on a nice spring day and enjoy nature.
Hobart resident Robin Toneff brought her daughter, Daryl Kuemmeth of Hobart, and her two children, Cassidy, 2, and Ben, 9 months.
It was the first time at the Robinson Lake Park for the two children, and Toneff said her family was enjoying the amenities, including a nearby playground for Cassidy.
Toneff said she wanted to attend to teach her grandchildren early on about taking care of their environment, such as recycling and reuse.
“We want to keep the next generation informed,” Toneff said.
Similarly, Nicole Mazur of Highland brought her granddaughter, Addy Jones, 2, along with her daughter, Avaleigh Mazur.
“We’re here to take part in a learning and fun community event,” Mazur said.
Hobart resident Darlene Montez said she came to the event with her granddaughter, Zara, 4, hoping to find a small tree to take with her to grow, but that wasn’t part of the program.
“Her dad needs to plant a small tree in his yard,” Montez said.
Still, she was happy to bring home some wildflower seeds that she planned to plant later.
Bob Allen, a member of the Friends of Robinson Lake, chatted with Hobart City Councilman Mark Kara, D-2nd, while both were seated in a booth set up by the Friends of Robinson Lake group.
Allen, who was there to answer questions from the community, said his group has assisted the city through the years in upkeep of the park by holding clean-up and improvement days, stocking the lake with fish, planting trees and a rain garden, upgrading the playground, and assisting the city in getting the parking lot drained.
“I think it’s got a bright future,” Allen said of the park.
Allen said this park is one that is favored by the Department of Natural Resources because the lake is stocked with fish.
Activities at Water Fest included a kiddie pool set up as a “fishing pond” for kids and adults, with prizes and gift cards; giveaways including backpacks with pet photos on the back; a scavenger hunt; and dip netting into Robinson Lake courtesy of the Friends of Robinson Lake.
Teens Vincent Ludington and Terah Underhill of Hobart donned rubber boots and waded into Robinson Lake using nets to collect “treasures” including tadpoles, crayfish, a baby turtle and other creatures from the water.
Ludington, who said he grew up in Chicago but now lives in Hobart, said he enjoys Robinson Lake Park and all its amenities, including swimming.
“It’s not crowded,” Ludington said.
Deborah Laverty is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
