The event is sponsored by the Otsego County Water Quality Coordinating Committee (WQCC) and is a day of educational outreach with a focus on water quality, as well as a celebration that recognizes Otsego Lake and its vital role to the region as the source of the Cooperstown’s drinking water and the headwaters of the Susquehanna River.

Festival planner Susan O’Handley said she feels it is an important event because it gives people the opportunity to get to know more about water issues and the organizations involved with water quality.

``I encourage people to come because water quality is such a critical subject,’’ O’Handley said. �’If you have any interest in learning about water quality issues in Otsego County this is the place to be.’’

And water quality issues seem particularly important this year with the discovery last month that zebra mussels have been found in the lake and concerns that surfaced recently about the clean up of fuel spill sites not far from the lake.

The Festival will feature non-profit groups in the region that support water quality initiatives. Exhibits will detail local efforts to improve and safeguard Otsego Lake and its 75 square mile watershed and other water resources throughout Otsego County.

Of course the festival has much more to offer, including live acoustical music, art, children�s activities, lake tours and food.

Otsego Lake is one of the environmental jewels of the region and would encourage people to attend the festival. Participants will learn what they can do in their daily lives to help preserve this important resource and have a great time doing it.

This year’s festival will be held this Saturday, July 14, from noon to 5 p.m. in Lakefront Park.