Reunite the Rivers Events

Great Florida Riverway Reunion

Feb 4, 2023

Lake Apopka | Silver Springs | Palatka | Jacksonville

What is the Great Florida Riverway Reunion?

It is a day where people that love the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers and Silver Springs come together to celebrate, connect and take action to reunite the Great Florida Riverway by breaching the Rodman / Kirkpatrick Dam. It’s not just one big reunion but a series of events from the headwaters of the Ocklawaha River at Lake Apopka to the confluence of the Ocklawaha and Silver Rivers near Silver Springs, to Palatka, near where the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers unite, all the way to Jacksonville where the great riverway meets the Atlantic.

Events are scheduled at Lake Apopka, Ocala Boat Club at Ray’s Wayside Park on the Ocklawaha River, Azalea Brewery in Palatka and the Riverfront Amphitheatre at Jacksonville University.

Lake Apopka Events

Saturday, February 4, 10:00 AM

Headwaters Kick-off and Photo Op at Lake Apopka
2929 S. Binion Rd, Apopka, FL 32703

Meet at lakeside for a short Facebook live event where leaders launch the Great Florida Riverway Reunion. Hosted by Florida Native Plant Society. Be the first to get a “Reunite the Rivers” yard sign.

Jacksonville Events

Saturday, February 4, 1:00 to 3:00 PM

FREE Reunite the Rivers Concert, Jacksonville, Florida

Riverfront Amphitheater at Jacksonville University
2800 University Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32211

  • Great Music
  • Beautiful Venue
  • Food Truck

Sponsored By

Silver Springs Events

Saturday, Feb 4, 2:00 to 8:00 PM

Great Florida Riverway Reunion, Ocala Boat Club, Ray’s Wayside Park
9570 NE 28th Lane, Silver Springs, FL 34488

2:00 to 6:00 PM: – FREE Family Fun Afternoon –

Outdoors at the Ocala Boat Club**

  • Short one-hour pontoon rides by Captains Karen Chadwick and Erika Ritter ($10 adults, $5 for children 6-12, no children under 6, cash payment only, first come, first served)*
  • Kayak and canoe rentals to the location are available at Silver Springs go to https://silversprings.com/paddling/ *
  • Ocklawaha arts and crafts by Fort King Presbyterian Art4All
  • Manatee coloring books, puppet kits and puzzles
  • Snacks and beverages for purchase
  • 2 to 4 pm: Music by the Weeds of Eden from Gainesville
  • 4 to 6 pm: Music by The Hombres from NE Florida
  • 5 to 6 pm: FREE craft beer and wine tasting

6:00 to 8:00 PM: – Ticketed Event – Great Florida Riverway Reunion Dinner and Voices of the River

Ocala Boat Club

  • Tuscan dinner provided by Mojo’s catering
  • FREE craft beer and wine tasting (continued)
  • Musical Voices of the River – Scott and Kimber Davis, Sam Hankinson (Tallahassee) & Company
  • Special manatee and wildlife film short by Mark Emery
  • Voices for the River – Kim Dinkins, Mark Emery (by video), Casey Fitzgerald and Science Team Members, Cynthia Graham, Todd Rudnianyn, Margaret Spontak, Alan Youngblood
  • One hour informal jam session afterwards (Bring your instrument)

Tickets: $20 per person

*The pontoon boat rides and Silver Springs kayaks are provided by private vendors and are independent of the event producers.
**All activities will be moved into the Ocala Boat Club in the event of extreme cold or rainy weather.

Sponsored By

Palatka Events

Saturday, Feb 4, 4:00 to 7:00 PM

Great Florida Riverway Reunion, Azalea City Brewing Company
120 South 7th St., Palatka, FL 32177

  • No cover charge, open to the public
  • Craft beer
  • Cajun Knights food truck
  • Manatee coloring books, puzzles and puppet kits
  • Musical entertainment by Corey on the Sax
  • St. Johns River photo exhibit by Will Dickey. Meet the artist.