Numerous activities, opportunities planned at MSRKA booth at Sports Expo in Bloomsburg set for Jan. 26-29

The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association is participating in the 2023 Early Bird Sports Expo running Thursday, Jan. 26, through Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds.

Riverkeeper John Zaktansky will be in attendance throughout the event to talk with people about the work the association does across the 11,000-square-mile Middle Susquehanna watershed (including all land that eventually drains into the North and West branches of the Susquehanna River). 

The show runs 3-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27-28, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29. The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper booth will offer the following activities and opportunities:

• Virtual Waterway Experience. ​Check out, via virtual reality technology, a series of 360-degree videos recorded during last year's HERYN (Helping Engage our River's Youth with Nature) kayaking and fishing program days that give you a feel as a virtual participant of what the program is like. We will have other VR 360-degree videos taken from along the Susquehanna River and waterfalls of Ricketts Glen State Park available, too. 
• Macroinvertebrate Exploration Station. Using digital microscopes, participants can check out specially preserved macroinvertebrates to see unique features and identify them while learning about their importance to our waterways.
• Kids and Youth Drawing Contest. Open to anyone under age 18, draw and color using provided colored pencils and paper a surprise guest species from our watershed. We will display entries and pull some randomly at the end of the show for some cool prizes.

The full cover of our new book, "Sentinels of the Susquehanna: Volume 2" which will be on sale for the first time during the Bloomsburg Sports Expo.

Our new line of specially designed Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association shirts will be on sale at the Bloomsburg Sports Expo.

• Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association merchandise will be on sale, including our new line of specially designed T-shirts, new hats, Songs of the Susquehanna Volume 1 and 2 CDs, neck gaiters, decals, patches and more. We will also be unveiling Volume 2 of our Sentinels of the Susquehanna book, which will be available for sale at the show along with copies of Volume 1. These books cover hundreds of important topics about our river and the threats it faces.
• Adult Newsletter Sign-up and prizes. An email newsletter signup form will be available. At the end of the show, we will give out a few prizes to names drawn randomly from the list. 
• Michael Kinney Photography. Local waterway and wildlife photographer and videographer Michael Kinney will be at our booth with some of his framed images and 2023 photo calendars available for sale.
• Special songwriting workshop with river musician Don Shappelle. On Saturday, Jan. 28, from noon to 1 p.m., Don Shappelle will be available at our booth to talk with people who are working on submissions for Songs of the Susquehanna Volume 3 to help them fine-tune their lyrics and polish their entries ahead of the Jan. 31 deadline for submission.
• Sea Scout information and registration. Learn more about Sea Scout Ship 2323, chartered by the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, and what they have coming up in 2023. The program is coed and for those ages 14-21. Applications to join the Ship will be available at the show.

Parking for the expo at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds is free. There is a $7 entry fee for anyone 13 and over. Children 12 & under are free. Senior Citizen admission (65 & older) is $5 on Friday only.

In addition to the MSRKA booth, there will be more than hundred other vendors and groups represented at the show. There will be an expo-wide kids scavenger hunt, kids face-painting, BB gun and NERF Archery shoots for kids, axe throwing with The Hatchet House and Laser Tag. There is also adult 3D and paper archery shoot competitions and a Hunter Safety Course offered during the weekend.

Check out the full list of exhibitors for the Early Bird Sports Expo by clicking here.

For more about the expo, visit the event website.

If you have any questions specifically about the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association's display, email Riverkeeper John Zaktansky directly at midsusriver@gmail.com or call him at 570-768-6300.

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