Bolin creek festival encourages environmental education

At Umstead Park on Saturday, children ran through the mud, fish net and bucket in hand, leaping into the creek’s clear waters as they took part in the fifth annual Bolin Creek Festival.

The free festival was sponsored by the Friends of Bolin Creek, a nonprofit organization based in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area that is committed to preserving the creek.

Dave Otto, chairman of the Friends of Bolin Creek, said the festival aimed to raise awareness about the creek and the beauty of nature.

“We have this marvelous natural treasure that runs through Chapel Hill and Carrboro that most just take for granted,” he said.

The festival, which usually draws between 200 and 300 attendees, had a head count of about 500 this year because of its improved publicity, Otto said.

The festival was largely family oriented, as children could be found sailing through the air at the swing set, munching popcorn while standing in line for the moonbounce or dancing to the sounds of local band Project Mastana’s Indian music.

“The kids absolutely love it,” Otto said.

Most UNC students don’t know about the creek, which has quite a history with the University.

 UNC’s first cook, John “Buck” Taylor, lived in a cabin near Bolin Creek. The students hated his food so much that they snuck on to his property and vandalized it, causing him to resign shortly thereafter.

Dale Morgan, the festival’s resident artist, began painting a picture of the creek at the festival.  Attendees bought raffle tickets for the chance at winning one of her paintings.

Because of Morgan’s love for nature, the event proved to be a fun one for her.

“When I’m not painting, I’m gardening,” she said.

McDougle Middle School science teacher Leigh Aultman  distributed buckets and fish nets to children and later led them into the creek to hunt for critters.

Julie McClintock, vice chairwoman of the Friends of Bolin Creek, said the education was her favorite part.

“I love it because of its environmental education, and it’s great to reach small children and for them to learn about the connection between plants, animals, the earth and themselves.”



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