Water Fest 2022 recap

Apr 12, 20222 min read

March 26 was an unforgettable Saturday at the Park!

Last Saturday, Students4H2O reunited with the City of Stuart to co-host Water Fest at Stuart Memorial Park. Water Fest is their annual water conservation and environmental festival.

Since 2019, the City of Stuart and the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast have joined forces and combined their two signature events, Water Fest and Mutt March, into one free event.

Both events kicked off with an opening ceremony. Jensen Beach High School’s American Sign Language Honor Society performed the Pledge of Allegiance, and their Band Members performed the National Anthem.

A signature aspect of Water Fest is our Walk4Water, which brings attention to the global water crisis. Jerrycans are filled in different weights and placed around the Banyan tree at Stuart Memorial Park. Attendees were encouraged to walk with jerrycans around the tree and the park to understand how the global water crisis affects girls in developing nations.

This year’s event was especially memorable because, for the first time in Water Fest history, ALL Martin County School District schools participated! They hosted booths and provided activities for attendees that aligned with Water Fest’s mission. I greatly enjoyed stopping by their booths and thanking the students, teachers, and parent volunteers for their involvement.

Schools advocated alongside organizations including the Martin County School District, Keep Martin Beautiful, Keep Florida Beautiful Youth Council, Treasure Coast Surfrider Foundation, and Water For South Sudan.

Towards the end of the event, the City of Stuart and Students4H2O announced the winning schools of contests we held prior to the event! The City of Stuart held a Globe Art Decorating Contest, and 20 schools participated! I was in awe of the participating schools’ creativity and talent. Congratulations to Murray Middle School (1st), Hope Center for Autism (2nd), and Bessey Creek Elementary School (3rd)!

Students4H2O also announced the winners of our Buddy Bench Contest held this school year in partnership with the City of Stuart, Martin County School District, and Publix. The top two schools that collected and recycled the most bags to Publix will receive Buddy Benches, generously donated by the City of Stuart. Congratulations to Palm City Elementary School and J.D. Parker Elementary School!

I am beyond grateful for the outstanding participation of all the schools involved, as they collectively recycled over 42,000 bags to Publix!