By Doug Alderson
May 20, 2025–Riverpalooza on Saturday, May 17, kicked off an action-packed weekend for Apalachicola Riverkeeper. First, there was a cleanup of the Apalachicola area from 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers embarked by kayak, boat, bike and on foot and filled up a full dumpster load of trash, the dumpster having been donated for the cleanup by Franklin County. Thank you volunteers! You really made a difference!
The festive part of Riverpalooza kicked off around two o’clock in the afternoon at the Apalachicola Yacht Club. Musicians included The Ukulilies, Ed Raetzloff, Tommy Cooper, Clayton Mathis and Lynn Wamp, and the Funky Taters. Special guest speaker was Josh McLawhorn, Director of Unfiltered: The Truth about Oysters, and he reminded us about what is at stake in our efforts to stem water pollution and protect the resource. And speaking of oysters, succulent bivalves on the half shell were provided by Water is Life for a donation. 
A Kevlar tandem kayak and trailer was generously donated by David Morse for a raffle and Bruce and Nina Ashley were the lucky recipients. Apalachicola Riverkeeper still has bills to pay for the successful lawsuit against proposed oil and gas drilling in Calhoun County, so the raffle and generous donations provided at the event were much appreciated. Volunteers were key to this successful event, and our Riverkeeper, Cameron Baxley, put in a 15-hour day on Saturday!
On Sunday morning, May 18th, Apalachicola Riverkeeper sponsored a kayak trip on the ever-popular Owl Creek near Sumatra, helping to remind us of the beauty and diversity in all parts of the Apalachicola Basin. There was enough water to venture into the canopied Devon Creek where bright yellow prothonotary warblers flashed across dark water and swallow-tailed kites soared overhead. The abundant tupelo trees had already bloomed but we did find a remnant clump of blooms to show people the source of tupelo honey.
At Hickory Landing, we met several anglers who had fished all night as part of a channel catfish tournament out of Bristol. Two fish exceeded fifty pounds and a seven-year-old boy hoisted up a 10 pounder that he would use to compete in the children’s division. It just goes to show that many types of people enjoy the Apalachicola Basin whether in a kayak or motorized watercraft.
“Whether hauling trash out of the marshes, dancing to live music, or paddling through the quiet beauty of Owl Creek, every moment this weekend reminded us why we fight so hard to protect this incredible place,” concluded Riverkeeper Cameron Baxley. “Protecting the Apalachicola takes all of us, and this weekend, all of us showed up with gratitude and good will.”
Here are more photos from the weekend.
