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The River Falls Police Department will aim to raise awareness about water safety for all ages through its first annual Water Safety Festival on Saturday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Point A Swimming Park.

The festival will feature water safety presentations, CPR demonstrations, marine patrol exhibits, and opportunities to meet local rescue teams. Attendees can also enjoy games, a dunking booth, live music, and food vendors.

According to Chief Marcus Laster, the department has already responded to nine water-related emergencies this year since acquiring its rescue boat.

“We see a lot of people not taking water safety seriously. Boaters often ignore basic precautions, and we witness many situations on the water that are potentially hazardous or even life-threatening,” Laster said.

Prompted by these incidents, along with a recent local drowning, the department decided to launch the Water Safety Festival in hopes of encouraging the community to adopt more consistent safety practices.

“To my knowledge, nothing like this has ever been held at Point A. We feel that if it saves even one life, the effort is worth it. Any drowning is tragic, but when it’s a local family, it really hits home. It started as a fun day at the lake and ended in tragedy,” Laster said.

Laster emphasized that many people underestimate the dangers of water and become complacent.

“In a recent rescue, the person had maybe 15 minutes before it would’ve been too late. His nose was going under. People don’t realize how dangerous moving water can be. We’re trying to bring everyone connected with water like experts, rescuers, and regulators together to share knowledge and teach from their perspectives. We want to address safety from every angle: the dam, life vests, CPR, everything,” he said.

Laster also noted that the event is relevant beyond lakes and rivers.

“It’s not just about large bodies of water. People fish in ponds, and many families have pools at home. Babysitters watch kids in pools during the summer. This festival is about raising awareness of what to expect and how to act when something goes wrong. Too often, people get on the water and think they’re invincible.”

One key point, Laster said, is making sure children wear life jackets.

“We see young kids in the water without any flotation devices. If a boat goes by and creates a wave, those kids can be knocked over. Parents need to keep visual contact with their children at all times,” he said.

PowerSouth officials will be present to explain how the dam operates and discuss safety measures. The Marine Patrol will demonstrate their rescue boat and answer questions about boating regulations. Game and Fish personnel will offer fishing safety tips, and the River Falls Police Department will display its rescue boat. CPR dummies will also be available for hands-on demonstrations.

“If someone wants to learn CPR, they can see what it involves. From there, we can help them connect with someone who can certify them. By trying the dummy, people might realize how important it is and pursue certification,” Laster said.

Food vendors will include Smash Mouth Foods and Sno Biz with music provided by Pierce Sanders. Participating agencies include PowerSouth, Gantt Rescue, Advanced EMS, the Covington County Sheriff’s Office, Opp Fire and Rescue, and Southeast Gas.

“We’ve spoken with PowerSouth, and they’re interested in making this an annual event. The more people we reach, the fewer accidents we hope to see. If it continues to grow, we may need to find a bigger venue,” Laster said.

Experienced divers from the River Falls Police Department and Opp Fire and Rescue will also be on hand.

“There will be a booth where people can learn about our dive equipment and what our divers do. I’m trying to bring in someone who certified our divers in case anyone is interested in becoming certified. You can never have too many trained divers,” he said.

Laster encouraged attendees to share what they learn after the event.

“We want people to post about it, share what they learned, and how it helped them. Feedback, whether it’s positive or negative, is welcome. This is a learning experience for us too being our first time. We hope to improve with each year.”

He also expressed appreciation for the overwhelming support the festival has received.

“I want to thank everyone who’s helped make this happen. Every person we contacted has said yes without hesitation. That support means a lot, especially in a job like ours. We believe there’s a way to educate the community about water safety in a way that’s fun and brings people together,” Laster said.

Donations can be made to the River Falls Police Department, the Town of River Falls, or the Stop Drowning Now Foundation via Facebook.

For more information call 334-542-0258.