Did you know that SAVE THE MERCED was the rallying cry of a group of dedicated El Portalians wanting to prevent a hydropower diversion in El Portal, California? El Portal is a community at the gate to Yosemite, where the park administration is located. Thanks to the Merced Canyon Committee, the Merced and its South Fork were designated Wild & Scenic in 1987, forever protected in their free-flowing condition.
In honor of the 35th anniversary of the designation of the Merced Wild & Scenic River, the Upper Merced River Watershed Council is organizing the MERCED RIVER FEST on APRIL 15, 2023, at the Grove House in Mariposa, California. The community is invited to join for a happy hour gathering at the Grove House from 4-6pm to learn more about what the Council has been up to, with the film festival taking place from 6-10pm. Also rounding out the River Fest activities will be silent auction and screen-printing from Pathos with art and themes reflecting the river. We’ll honor some of the folks who made this designation possible and tip our hat to river stewards who continue to make a difference today.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the Grove House door. Visit www.merced-river.org for more information