Forty years ago, June 22, 1969 to be exact, on a quiet summer day in Cleveland, Ohio, a bit of molten steel splashed out of a rail car crossing a bridge over the Cuyahoga River, leaped over the railing and
landed on a slick of industrial waste floating on the surface. The slick caught fire.

It wasn't the first fire on this river, nor the first on any industrial river. It wasn't the worst fire on the river. In fact, as fires go it was minor. But it happened in the right place at the right time to gain national attention and to make enough people take notice and take action.

Throughout 2009, we commemorate that watershed event, recognize the environmental movement it sparked and celebrate the "re-birth" of the greener and much cleaner Cuyahoga River.

Year of the River Events

Cuyahoga River Re-Birthday Party - Monday, June 22, Noon to 8pm

Be at Settler's Landing at noon for the official commemoration ceremony and news conference with a major announcement about the state of the river. Tour Heritage Park I and II from 2-8pm for a picnic, games, music, storytelling and birthday cake, followed by a performance by the Terra Amma Drum Circle.

Peninsula Art Academy is holding an art competition to celebrate the importance of the Cuyahoga River and the beauty of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in and around the Village of Peninsula.

Visit www.explorepeninsula.com or email info@peninsulaartacademy.com for more details.

The Portage Park District is partnering with Advanced Rehab of Mantua, Camp Hi Canoe Livery, the Village of Mantua and others to host the Headwaters Adventure Race on Saturday, July 11, 2009. Participants will run two miles on the Headwaters Trail, bike ten miles along beautiful rural roads to Camp Hi Livery and canoe or kayak back to Buchert Park in Mantua on the Upper Cuyahoga State Scenic River. Teams of two may split the run/bike portion then canoe together or a single adventurer may run, bike and kayak.

Fees are $40 per person and include a t-shirt, canoe rental and after race refreshments. Fitness Walk fee is $15. Email sblair@portageparkdistrict.org or call 330-297-7728 for more information.

Choose from a 23-mile leisurely bicycle ride complete with a trip on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad or a 10-mile family friendly ride complete with a fun filled stop at Thornburg Station (including ice cream samples provided by Carvel).

Both rides start at Canalway Center (E. 49th Street just off I-77.) Immediately following both rides, return to the Canalway Center for a festival including BBQ lunch, giveaways and live entertainment. Riders also receive a goodie bag with a t-shirt, coupons, snacks and more. Visit www.ohiocanal.org for more info.