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Water festival returns April 30; local nonprofit seeks sponsors and volunteers
Summary
The American Groundwater Trust told the council the White Mountain Water Festival will host hands-on groundwater and watershed activities for fourth graders on April 30; organizers asked the council to consider a $1,500 sponsorship in the 2027 budget and sought volunteers and in-kind support.
Sada Chednoff, executive director of the American Groundwater Trust, briefed the Pinetop Lakeside council on plans for the second annual White Mountain Water Festival, an all-day, hands-on program for fourth-grade students that reinforces in-class curriculum and community outreach.
Chednoff said last year’s inaugural festival hosted more than 288 students and that organizers now have more than 500 students enrolled across two sessions for the April 30 event; sponsors cover direct costs for presenters from the University of Arizona’s Project WET program but volunteer meals remain unfunded. She asked council members to consider a $1,500 donation during the 2027 budgeting process to help cover volunteer meals and thanked Pinetop Lakeside for past sponsorship.
Ethan Leighton, an eighth grader at Blue Ridge Junior High participating in the festival’s Science in a Slice program, described student preparation: monthly lunchtime meetings, classroom presentations and a public poster display at the end of the year. Council members praised student involvement and encouraged volunteer sign-ups.
Organizers said they would secure a final festival location in the coming week and distributed QR codes and donation information for sponsors and volunteers.
