The event includes education, performances, family activities and a marketplace in L.A. State Historic Park. (photo courtesy of FOLAR)

Friends of the LA River invites the public to the fifth annual RiverFest, a free all-ages, open-air environmental arts and community festival at Los Angeles State Historic Park on Sunday, Aug. 9, from 2:30-7 p.m.

The event will showcase and celebrate the culture, history and people that shape the 51-mile L.A. River, with special focus on community and how the waterway provides vital public space for recreation, work and nature itself. Throughout the year, hundreds of FOLAR volunteers regularly help restore the river’s habitat, and FOLAR staff provide education in schools and at the river while also participating in community discussions that encourage usable feedback. RiverFest offers a day to meet and celebrate all those who want to help shape the future of the L.A. River.

The past few months have been challenging for the river. In May, more than 2,000 gallons of crude oil spilled into the channel from a ruptured pipeline in East Los Angeles. In June, runoff from a massive food-storage warehouse fire in Boyle Heights ended up in the river. Though there has been an incredible effort to clean up the hazardous materials, the negative impact on the river’s ecosystem continues. Anyone who has been affected, including residents and business owners, can file a claim with Pacific Pipeline System at (877)817-5465.

“The LA River has always been a symbol of resilience and RiverFest is a chance to celebrate that spirit,” said Candice Dickens-Russell, CEO of Friends of the Los Angeles River. “We’ve been steadily making progress over the last 40 years to get Angelenos to see the river as more than just a storm drain. After our founder Lewis MacAdams cut a hole in a chain link fence to return the river to the people, we’ve seen endangered species return, Angelenos start to fish and kayak on the river again and are well on our way to a connected bike lane that will serve as a green transportation corridor for our city. But this year’s incidents are a good reminder that we still have more work to do, and at Riverfest, we uplift both the river itself and the community it inspires.”

RiverFest features local artists, live performances, an environmental art gallery and a bustling marketplace. Admission is free but registration is required.

Los Angeles State Historic Park is located at 1315 N. Spring St. For information, visit folar.org.