Potomac — The Potomac River Jam is back for a fifth year with a full schedule of nature walks, local music, games, and fun for everyone to enjoy. On Sunday, Oct. 14, the public is invited to the River Center at Lock 8 to celebrate the Potomac River and C&O Canal with Potomac Conservancy. Activities will begin at 9 a.m. and continue through 4 p.m.
For the past four years, people from surrounding communities have attended the Potomac River Jam to sample the summer’s most popular nature walks at Lock 8, tour the River Center and historic lockhouse with a volunteer guide, take canoe rides, and enjoy a variety of musical sets from local-area musicians.
Come out early to enjoy three nature walks, lead by local naturalists. There will be an assortment of children’s games, face-painting, and crafts, and throughout the day there will be a chance to win a raffle prize. The afternoon’s musical performance will feature a variety of genres, from children-oriented world music from Bill Jenkins, folk with Kensington Station, rock-folk from ilyAIMY, and lively Irish music by Lilt. Refreshments will be available throughout the day, and all activities are free and open to individuals of all ages.
This year’s schedule of activities includes:
Nature Walks along the C&O Canal
9 - 10 a.m. — Mushroom Walk: Learn about common mushroom species found in the Potomac region with local mycology buff, Buddy Kilpatrick.
10-11 a.m. — Edible and Medicinal Plants: Hear the history and folklore of common trees, weeds and wildflowers on a medicinal plant walk with Randa Steblez.
11 a.m.- noon — Kids Bug Walk: Discover the creepy crawlies that everyone loves and can find in their own backyard and along the Potomac River with volunteer naturalist Deborah Landau.
Music
12 pm: Children’s Music with Bill Jenkins World of Music
1 pm: Folk Music with Kensington Station
2 pm: Folk Rock Music with ilyAIMY
3 pm: Irish Music with Lilt
Canoe Rides
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (every 15 minutes): Take a paddle on the Potomac. First come, first served — sign up at event for a timeslot.
For more information about events and schedule, visit www.potomac.org/site/potomac-river-jam. This event is supported by REI and Bethesda Co-op.
The River Center is open Saturdays and Sundays, starting May 1 through October, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for tours of the lockhouse and interactive exhibits. Visitors are guided by Potomac Conservancy’s volunteer River Center Guides who lead tours, answer questions, and discuss the historical and cultural significance of the C&O Canal and the Potomac River to the regional economy and local quality of life. For additional information about the River Center at Lock 8, including directions, visit www.potomac.org/site/discover-rclh8/.
The Potomac Conservancy is the leader in safeguarding the entire Potomac River and surrounding region, and connecting the land and people the River touches to this national treasure. Since 1993, the Conservancy has conserved nearly 12,000 acres of land and partnered with its more than 3,500 members to fight for a clean and healthy Potomac and its tributaries. For more information, visit www.potomac.org .