The inaugural "Rock the Green Clean" event, organized by Middle Green River Coalition, Clean the Green, and Washington Recreational River Runners, in Enumclaw was a huge success. It exceeded our expectations for a first time event, said Lisa Parsons, Executive Director of Middle Green River Coalition. We had people coming in from 2pm on to hear a line up of great bands and support the Cleanup of the Green River. One man came from Olympia to show his support for Green River Gorge conservation and the Green River Cleanup events. An avid kayaker and rafter the Green is one of his favorite rivers and wanted to show his support. Another came from Black Diamond to show his support for saving Icy Creek, along the rim of the Green River Gorge, and let us know about the 12,000 home development going into Black Diamond. A lot of young people showed up who have participated in the local "Clean the Green" cleanup efforts of Lacey O'grady, a college student at Green River Community College and one of the principal organizers of the Rock the Green Clean event.
And celebrate they did. Five and a half hours of live music, streaming video and slideshows of Green River Gorge recreation, a spaghetti feed, and a generous raffle helped make the event a notable one. King County also had plant displays and MGRC had a photo exhibit of the Green River Gorge along with information on recreation along the Gorge.
The amazing thing was there were people at the event from all walks of life, from families with young children to older folks whose history is intertwined with the Green River. So many in this community have a story to tell about the Green River Gorge. They have their experiences hiking along the rim, fishing in their secret fishing holes, rafting incredible whitewater, floating languidly in inner tubes in the late summer, camping in the tall cedars of Kanaskat State Park, or just picnicking along the river. Its touched many in our community and this is a way to bring everyone together to celebrate this amazing river gorge winding its way between two communities.
This event was such an energizing event for the board members of Middle Green River Coalition who have looked to raise awareness of conservation of the Green River Gorge Mountains to Valley Greenway along the twelve mile Green River Gorge. Local musician Bernie McKinney, a long time resident of the plateau and musician recently joined Middle Green River Coalition's effort to steward the Green River and promote conservation of the Greenway. So when he came up with the idea of a music event to raise awareness of efforts to conserve and cleanup the River, MGRC thought it was a great idea. We had two groups doing cleanup events every year from the Headworks above Kanaskat to Auburn. We thought this would be a great opportunity to support their efforts. So Bernie called up all his fellow musicians to participate and the "Rock the Green Clean" Benefit was created.
Local businesses generously donated items to support the event. Lisa Parsons, Executive Director of Middle Green River Coalition, wanted to have a signature event that would not only bring awareness of conservation and stewardship of the Green River Gorge but also be an event that would help support and promote local businesses. Our goal is to bring communities together to support our effort to keep our communities livable by promoting a vibrant center piece, the Green River Gorge. MGRC wants to help make Black Diamond and Enumclaw a mecca for outdoor recreation and that will help support the local economy. In tough times its community that carries us through and it is times like these that require new ways of thinking about our local economy. If tonight's event was any indication of what a community can put together than we are on the right track.
MGRC would like to extend a special thank you to the Crystal Bistro Lounge and Sushi Bar for donating their time, space, and the spaghetti feed. Additionally a special thanks goes out to Lacey O'Grady for her hard work getting donations and organizing the event and to Bernie McKinney for bringing the bands together.
Thanks you the bands:
Howling Rain
Foothills Band
The Kevin Jones Band
Jake Nicholas
The Max Renshaw Band
Mike Woods and Jimmy Winn
We'd especially like to thanks all the businesses who donated items
and services to make this a very successful fundraising event:
Alpine Adventures
Sip City Wines
Elkhead Brewery
Frankie’s Pizza
Buds and Blooms
The Mint
Over the Edge
The Kettle
Downstream River Runners
Little Caesar’s Pizza
Aaron Brenner's Bakery
Food Services of America
T Bonz Steak House
Downtown Hair Design
Tubeart Displays Inc
Intent Yoga Center
Sweet Necessities
REI
Starbucks
City Perk
Gateway
Shelly Becker
Lisa Parsons
Devol Racing
City Hall Saloon
Lisa Parsons
Executive Director
Middle Green River Coalition
www.mgrc.org
mgrc@mgrc.org
Rock the Green Clean
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Jake Nicholas
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Kevin Jones and Larry Lausch
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Quite a turnout!
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King County Staff
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The Swag!
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3/4 of the Foothills band
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A few Participated in the Bull Ride - 1
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A few Participated in the Bull Ride - 2
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A few Participated in the Bull Ride - 3
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The Kevin Jones Band - 1
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The Kevin Jones Band - 2
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The Kevin Jones Band - 3
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The Kevin Jones Band - 4
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The Kevin Jones Band - 5
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The Kevin Jones Band - 6
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The Kevin Jones Band - 7
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Noxious Weeds Experts
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Spagetti....with a Chance of Meatballs
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Old and young turned out for this event
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The Kevin Jones Band - 1
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The Kevin Jones Band - 2
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I Wanna Be a Cowboy
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Bernie, Our MC and Howling Rain band member - 1
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Bernie, Our MC and Howling Rain band member - 2
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Casey Garland surfing at Paradise at the Crystal
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I Wanna be a Cowgirl
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Cowboy at Play
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Kevin Jones, an incredible musician
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Tossed off the side
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