As part of the Sustainable Cleveland 2019 plan, Mayor Frank Jackson and his Office of Sustainability, along with partner organizations, will kick off the Year of Clean Water this Friday, January 23rd from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Cleveland City Hall Rotunda. The event will feature local innovations, resources and organizations working to keep our water clean, as well as local food vendors.

Since 2011, the city has dedicated each year to a different sustainability issue. The Year of Clean Water focuses on the impact water and Lake Erie have on life and business in Cleveland. “We’re really hoping that during the Year of Clean Water people take action and get involved in their communities,” says sustainability chief Jenita McGowan. “We want people to understand the water richness we have here in Cleveland. We’re fortunate to be located this close to fresh water. But don’t take it for granted and don’t take advantage of it.”

The kickoff event is the first stop on the Clean Water Tour and Sweepstakes. Each event throughout the year will offer the chance to enter the sweepstakes for the grand prize of a two-night stay at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Stanford House and six tickets on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. “The more events you go to, the more chances you have to win the grand prize,” says McGowan.

The kickoff at City Hall is free and open to the public. “Whether you’re coming as a student, resident or from a business perspective,” there’s something to learn and take away from this event,” says McGowan. Painted rain barrels, created as part of the Painted Rain Barrel Project to keep surface pollution out of waterways, will be on display in the rotunda.

Education is a key component of the Year of Clean Water, and McGowan says it starts with keeping neighborhoods clean. Plastic beverage bottles are the number one pollution problem in the Great Lakes, followed by cigar tips. “Land litter makes its way into our waterways through the storm sewers,” explains McGowan. “Some of the best beach cleanups you can do are in your own yard.”

The second sweepstakes event on the tour is “Fire on the Water,” a series of original short plays at Cleveland Public Theatre. The world premiere of Fire on the Water is inspired by the burning of the Cuyahoga River and runs January 29th through February 14th.