Even Dinosaurs Like the ‘Splish Splash Dash’

The runners had a good time Friday evening in the Bitter Root Water Forum's 5K Walk/Run through three of Hamilton's city parks. The kids were included in a short little sprint through the sprinklers called the "Splish Splash Dash." They were joined by a colorful T-Rex, too (photo above).

Then, the 5K started off at 7 p.m., with runners and walkers heading down trails in the City River Park, the Skalkaho Bend Park and Steve Powell Park, with short stretches on city streets. (photo below) There was a special route for those with strollers. The annual Run For The River was part of the Riverfest weekend for the Water Forum, where they collect trash that has been removed from the Bitterroot River by volunteers and celebrate the main waterway of the Bitterroot Valley.

People volunteered to walk the banks or float portions of the river recently, picking up the trash. Then Saturday at 5 p.m. as the trash was collected in a huge dumpster, the music started, along with food, fun for the kids and adults enjoying a beverage or two. Katie of the Bitter Root Water Forum said the Riverfest is a way to gather with others who really care about the Bitterroot River and want to keep it healthy. The party included the local group Pinegrass, beer from Bitterroot Brewery and a special food truck from Stevensville. The Bitter Root Water Forum conducts educational events through the year, along with streamside projects. They have a main office on the 100 block of South 2nd in downtown Hamilton.