WATERSPORTS -- Learn more about your favorite water sport and be introduced to a wide variety of new water-based outdoor activities at the Pend Oreille River Water Sports Festival on Saturday, Aug. 9, at the boat launch/water park in Cusick from noon until 8 p.m. 

The festival coincides with the 33-rd annual two-day Poker Paddle.

The festival, organized by the Pend Oreille County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, is FREE and offers a line-up of water sports seminars, demonstrations, agency information booths, food and beverage booths, contests, prizes and live music.

Visit with representatives from Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Boundary Dam Recreation Area, Albeni Falls Recreation Area, Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Pend Oreille River Water Trail Committee, the County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and more.

Check out the offering the county parks department describes:

Food, summer-time snacks and beverages will be available for sale or bring your own picnic basket. Enjoy the lovely riverfront park picnic areas, swimming beach, walking trails and the four live bands that are also scheduled to play throughout the afternoon. As an added feature, this Festival is also the final destination for Day One of the ever popular Poker Paddle and participants will be arriving throughout the afternoon. The awards ceremony will take place at 4:00 p.m.

Sixteen free half-hour seminars are scheduled from noon until 7:30 p.m. Topics include “Making Your Own Fishing Lures”, “Snorkeling and Scuba Diving”, “Waterfowl Hunting”, “Teaching your Kids to Fish”, “Boating Safety”, “Beginning Fly Fishing”, “Paddle-boarding”, “Bass Fishing”, “Kayaking Techniques”, “ The Pend Oreille River Water Trail”, “Water Skiing and Knee Boarding Basics”, “Ice Fishing”, “Purchasing Paddling Watercraft & Equipment”, “Beginning Sailing”, “Lake Fishing in Pend Oreille County” and “Winterizing your Boat”.

Children’s activities will include a Water Safety Photo Booth and Bucky Beaver from the Corps of Engineers and everyone will enjoy day-long demonstrations on how to make survival bracelets from paracord. Bring your duck and goose calls and participate in the duck and goose calling contest. Load up your entire family along with lawn chairs and other summer outdoor necessities and enjoy the day. Activities will take place rain or shine and everyone should be prepared for changeable weather.

The Festival is sponsored by Ben Franklin and Seattle City Light and all proceeds of the festival will be used to promote parks and recreation within Pend Oreille County.

For additional information about the Festival or Poker Paddle contact Mike Lithgow at the Pend Oreille County Community Development Department at 509 447-6457 mlithgow@pendoreille.org.