- Last Updated on Friday, 31 May 2013 22:31
The Monongahela River has been named the 2013 Pennsylvania River of the Year.
More than 50 events throughout the spring, summer, and fall are planned to celebrate this honor, including a series of paddling trips, open to beginners as well as experienced paddlers; river festivals in California and Rices Landing; riverside concerts in Fredericktown and at Nemacolin Castle in Brownsville; family-oriented movies in the park; and much more! A full calendar is available at www.monrivertowns.com or by calling 724-785-9331.
River of the Year Award Ceremony
The official award presentation ceremony naming the Monongahela River as the PA 2013 River of the Year takes place on June 1 at the wharf in Brownsville. The official PA River of the Year poster will be unveiled at 1:00 p.m. in the company of state officials. A celebration will follow at the Sons of Italy, 16 Race Street, Brownsville, PA 15417. Both events are open to the public. RSVP for the reception and celebration is requested to 724-785-9331.
The River of the Year contest, administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) declared the Monongahela River the winner following online public voting this past January. A local organization, the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation (BARC), nominated “the Mon,” as it is known locally, and the River Town Program joined efforts to get local community members to cast their votes.
The River of the Year Program is additionally supported by the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency, the Greene County Tourism Promotion Agency and the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau through the Fayette County Tourism Grant Program.
About the River Town Program
The River Town Program is an asset-based community development initiative aimed at assisting distressed communities bordering navigable rivers to help them develop outdoor recreation as an alternative economic driver. The program is based on grassroots community involvement, recognizing the river as an asset with potential to attract visitors, a critical factor leading to greater conservation. Participating communities are Point Marion, Greensboro, Rices Landing, Fredericktown, Brownsville, and California. For more information, visit www.monrivertowns.org.
