Bringing awareness to the area’s water resources is the aim of Rowan Creek Week, a week-long celebration. It is scheduled for Sept. 14-21 and will be filled with events for all ages.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the 6th Annual Rowan Creek Week and bring our community together to appreciate and protect our waterways,” said Kelli Isenhour, Rowan County Soil and Water Education Coordinator and Creek Week Steering Committee Chairperson, in a release. “This week-long event offers a unique blend of educational, recreational and volunteer opportunities that highlight the importance of water conservation. We invite everyone to join us in making a positive impact on our environment and ensuring clean, healthy water for future generations.”

There is a fee for some of the activities, and some also require registration, which can be done by visiting www.rowancreekweek.org and clicking on the individual events.

In the event of inclement weather, check the website for any cancellations or changes in schedules.

Several events will be taking place during the entire week, two of which are contests for children and youth. These are a “Wetlands are Wonderful” poster contest for grades 3-5 and a “Wetlands are Wonderful” speech contest for grades 6-12. Check the website for a listing of rules and regulations. 

The third week-long event is a self-guided tour at Hurley Park, 304 Annandale Ave., Salisbury. Visit the park throughout the week for the “Roots of Resilience” tour and follow maps and signage to discover all of the trees in the park and their varied benefits.

Creek Week kicks off Sept. 14 at Horizons Unlimited, 1636 Parkview Circle in Salisbury from noon to 3 p.m. This will be a free time of exploration and fun with a water-themed full-dome planetarium show, a chance to see the marine touch tank and visit nature trails. Tables will be set up with some of the Creek Week community partners sharing information about their different organizations.

The same day, at 7 p.m., the Yadkin Riverkeeper will highlight water quality through an interactive “Water, Wine and Whiskey” tasting at Shug’s at Brooklyn South Square, 209 S. Lee St. This is a 21+ ticketed event and limited to the first 40 who register.

Events on Sept. 15 include a kayak launch at Lake Corriher Wilderness Park, 265 Tranquil Drive in Landis from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is free for personal kayaks; however, park kayak rental fees still apply. Kids 12 and younger can fish for free on this day and must be accompanied by an adult. Check the event website for additional information on fishing rules.

From 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, the TriBeta Biological Honor Society will be cleaning up the stream at Memorial Park and the Greenway near the Catawba College campus. Volunteers are encouraged to join them at the Center for the Environment, 300 W. Innes St. in Salisbury at 10 a.m. Materials for clean up and lunch will be provided for volunteers.

Learn about harvesting rainwater and building your own rain barrel at a workshop planned for Sept. 16 at 11 a.m. at West End Community Garden, 1110 Brenner Ave. in Salisbury. Registration is required. The event is free; however, a $5 donation is requested to help support the community garden. Lunch will be provided.

Also on Monday, a two-mile nature hike will be held at Stanback Educational Forest (Spencer Woods), at the end of 11th St., Spencer. Three Rivers Land Trust staff will lead the hike and point out plants and animals seen along the way. Registration is required.

Events on Tuesday, Sept. 17, begin with a 9 a.m. tour of the water treatment facility, 1 Water St., Salisbury. Registration is required.

The first of several Creek Week inspired preschool storytimes will be held Tuesday. Designed for ages 3-6 with an adult caregiver, this event will be held at 11 a.m. at RPL Headquarters, 201 W Fisher St., Salisbury.

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, RPL South, 920 Kimball Road, China Grove, will host another preschool storytime, beginning at 10 a.m.

Also at 10 a.m. on Wednesday will be a presentation on the basics of aquaponics by Allan Lanton at the Cooperative Extension Building, 2727 Old Concord Road, Salisbury. He will also be building a DIY hydroponics system. Registration is required.

The day will conclude with a Water Wednesday event at City Park Lake, 316 Lake Drive, Salisbury from 4-6 p.m. This will provide an opportunity for some free fishing and environmental education, hosted by Salisbury Stormwater, Sustainable Salisbury, Hurley Park, Rowan, Soil and Water Conservation District and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

Two preschool storytime events will be held Thursday, Sept. 19. They will be at 10 a.m. at RPL West, 107 School St. in Cleveland, and RPL East, 110 Broad St. in Rockwell. 

From 10 a.m. to noon, a guided hike and tour of RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls will be offered. Registration is required for this event with a limit of 30 participants. For a complete list of activities available at the falls and items needed for the day, check the website.

A Noodlehead Art Creek Week Edition will be held at 4 p.m. at RPL Headquarters, 201 W Fisher St., Salisbury.

The last two events on Thursday will be held at New Sarum Brewery, 109 N. Lee St., Salisbury with a tour conducted from 6-7 p.m., followed by a time of water-themed team trivia from 7-8 p.m.

Creek Week events on Friday, Sept. 20, start at 8 a.m. with a guided walk at the Catawba College Nature Preserve. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and bring binoculars. For those without binoculars, some will be available. Participants are to meet near the Center for the Environment at Catawba College in the rear parking lot of Keppel Auditorium, 2300 W. Innes St., Salisbury. Registration is required.

Multiple clean-up opportunities will be held during the last two days of Creek Week.

The first will be the Town Creek Community Clean-Up from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Organized by the Rowan Young Professionals and Sustainable Salisbury, volunteers will help clean up Town Creek Park, 702 E. Monroe St., Salisbury and the surrounding area at South Arlington St. Participants are asked to wear long pants and closed toe shoes for safety. Registration is required.

Clean-up times continue Saturday, Sept. 21, at two locations, including Eagle Point Nature Preserve from 9-11 a.m. Volunteers can join Rowan County Parks and Recreation, Catawba College, and Ducks Unlimited for this clean-up. Closed toe shoes are recommended for safety. Canoe and kayak access will also be available. The second is the High Rock Lake Clean Sweep, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers are encouraged to meet at Southmont Access, Highway 8, Southmont or Dutch Second Creek, Bringle Ferry Road in Salisbury. Lunch, trash bags and gloves will be available at both sites.

Creek Week’s finale will be Saturday with a Medication Take-Back event at Spencer’s town hall set for 8-9:30 a.m., followed by multiple races and rides, which all require registration and an event fee.

“Hosting the Rowan Creek Week finale is a tremendous honor for our community,” said Spencer Mayor Jonathan Williams, in the release. “This celebration not only highlights the natural beauty of our region but also brings us together through meaningful recreational and educational activities. We are excited to showcase Spencer’s continued commitment to environmental stewardship and community spirit.”

At 9 a.m. the 5K Race to the River, which supports Spencer Community Garden-partner Happy Roots, a 35-mile bike ride and 7-mile fun ride with The Pedal Factory will all start at Spencer Town Hall.

And, beginning at 10 a.m., a fun run across the river at Wil-Cox Bridge in Yadkin River Park is planned.

A big 100th anniversary celebration of Wil-Cox Bridge, complete with various activities begins at 1 pm throughout Yadkin River Park. There will be food trucks, live music and information tables set up. At 2 p.m. Dewey Snider will provide a historical talk about bridges and ferries. Music at the flag poles commences at 2:30 p.m., a tour of Fort York starts 3:30 p.m. and music at the Plaza begins at 4:30 p.m.

The week-long Creek Week adventures conclude with an opportunity to join Row Company River Adventures and Yadkin Riverkeeper at the York Hill Boat access at 6 p.m. for an hour-long sunset paddle. Registration and payment are required; however, those having their own equipment, may join at no cost.

Sponsors of Creek Week include City of Salisbury Stormwater Services, Garver, Horizons Unlimited, Miller Davis Agency, Novant Health, Rowan County Soil and Water and Yadkin Riverkeeper.