‘South River Days’ Celebration Starts Sunday

In 1845, poet Elizabeth Barrett Browningwrote, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways,” a sonnet that was probably written about some boy she fancied.

Bring or rent a kayak and get out on the water during South River Days.

One of the lines of the poem, “I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life” — may have been written about a person, but it could really be about our beloved South River, couldn’t it?

Well, even if you don’t think so, folks at the South River Federation do. And so they have lined up a series of events, starting this Sunday, to celebrate all that the South River brings to those who love it in so many ways.

Starting on Sunday at 1 p.m., they’ll be working on a Volunteer Cleanup Project at Camp Woodlands (off Riva Road, across from the Greek Church). You must RSVP to Jennifer Carr to participate. Volunteers are needed at Camp Woodlands to spread mulch and help implement other erosion control measures throughout the property. Please note that there will be crowds and traffic headed to the Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church open house festivities so add time for traffic. Parking will be available once inside the gates of Camp Woodlands.

At 7 p.m. on Tuesday (June 5), the South River Federation will hold a General Membership Meeting at London Towne Community Hall on Mayo Road in Edgewater. At the meeting, the data from the South River and West/Rhode Snapshot Event will be presented.  The Chesapeake Conservation Corps volunteers, Carol Wong (SRF) and Joe Ports (West/Rhode) will brief attendees about the snapshot and the results from over 50 different sampling sites in the South River watershed.

Following the Snapshot presentation, Doug Lashley of GreenVest, will talk about the ways his firm is collaborating on different projects around the South River.  Doug is currently working with the South River Federation on a variety of projects and is seeking to facilitate restoration opportunities to help reduce pollution loads to the river.  To RSVP, please email Sarah. Light refreshments will be served.

On Thursday (June 7) and Friday (June 8), Marylanders Grow Oysters participants will drop off the oysters that have been growing on community piers around the South River watershed. Drop-off times will be between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The South River Federation’s RIVERKEEPER boat will be in Glebe Bay for the Oyster Flotilla from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday (June 9). Please email Jennifer for more information.

Also on Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. at Mayo Beach Park, the Grand Finale of the South River Days celebration will commence with a party. The  South River Federation, in partnership with Anne Arundel Recreation and Parks will have a celebration to wrap up the week’s festivities. Celebrants will meet at Mayo Beach Park to explore the area, then return for a picnic and a “Bernie Fowler style wade-in.”

Aside from the wade-in, there will also be a picnic, family-friendly activities and a kayak sojourn. (Please note that Annapolis Canoe & Kayak is renting kayaks and includes paddle and personal flotation device (PFD). These are limited supply. For more information on kayak rental, call Sarah at 410-224-3802.)

My Butcher & More in Clock Tower Plaza in Annapolis will be donating grilling services for the day, so come on down and celebrate “the breath, the smile and the tears” that a South River celebration can bring.  RSVP to this event by emailing Sarah or calling 410-224-3802 at the South River Federation.