On September 5th, WaterStrong will host Lake Day! Water Safety Fair at Blue Lake Regional Park. The event is free and open to everyone. This is our first year hosting this event, launched in partnership with AMR and a few other partners because water safety is a top priority for all of us. Unfortunately Oregon has had too many drowning incidents — more than we know, because only the fatal drownings are officially recorded. This event at Blue Lake Regional Park is important right now because of the recent drownings that occurred there and at nearby Chinook Landing on the Columbia. We have to be part of the solution — to connect people with water in empowering ways to build survival skills and situational awareness, and to provide the essential safety gear they need for the water - like lifejackets and safety whistles.
Volunteers are needed!
Blue Lake Regional Park, Troutdale OR
Saturday September 5, 2026 from 10a - 2p (8a station set-up, 9a volunteer meeting)
Free admission, ADA accessible, all ages welcome
Parking is $5, pets are not allowed
Media coverage: https://katu.com/amnw/am-northwest-lifestyle-health/water-strongs-water-safety-fair
This event will have a big impact on water safety for families, even as they get ready for school.
* Families will receive free lifejackets and safety whistles they’ll use year-round
* Everyone who comes will learn how to wear a lifejacket properly and how to blow SOS the universal signal for “help”
* Families will learn the most important safety skills for swimming, boating, and fishing - and then they can get in the water to swim, boat and explore — all there
* Families will also get in touch with nature with a wildlife biologist — take nature walks around the lake and learn about the perfectly balanced ecosystems and native habitats of Blue Lake.
Admission is free and open to everyone. This is a fundraising event for WaterStrong, donations are heartily welcomed. Every dollar supports community programs in water safety and drowning prevention. Stations include water safety education, lifejacket fitting, boating safety, angler education and fishing safety, in-water survival swim skills, in-water boating, clay art, nature walk, ambulance tour and CPR practice, meet the first responders, and more.
Every dollar supports community programs in water safety - you can save a life.
Event stations - see below to volunteer
1. WaterStrong Welcome / Registration. Sign in and pick up a scavenger hunt passport.
2. Ambulance outreach, First Aid CPR for aquatic emergencies. Tour the AMR ambulance, meet the rescue team and learn the basics of community CPR for aquatic emergencies using mannikins and training AEDs
3. Lifejacket fitting & safety whistles. Get fitted with a USCG certified lifejacket and safety whistle, learn to blow SOS the universal code for “help”
4. Water safety - first responders. Meet the AMR River Rescue team and Multnomah County River Patrol, ask questions, learn about water safety on Oregon's rivers and lakes
5. Drowning prevention outreach (Lily’s Light). Learn how ocean awareness and water safety can save a life.
6. Swim school and water safety outreach. Meet the friendly staff from Emler Swim School and Goldfish Swim School. Learn the essentials of water safety in an outdoor classroom setting, ask questions, and get ready to get in the water.
7. Essential swim skills - get in the water! For early entry swimmers, practice basic survival swim skills and water safety techniques in a shallow water environment. For intermediate and advanced swimmers, find a buddy and borrow a swim buoy for a swim into deeper water. For water watchers, keep your eyes on the water and be ready to lend a hand.
8. Angler education / fishing safety land-based (ImHooked). Learn the essentials of angler education, practicing situational awareness and casting with backyard bass activities
9. Boating safety land based and in-water. Explore kayaks and canoes, practice safe entry and exits on land, and then explore the lake using your best boating safety skills.
10. What lives here wildlife biology & nature walks. Learn from a wildlife expert about the plants and animals that make up Blue Lake’s balanced ecosystem. Explore the learning garden and walk the nature trails with new appreciation for all that lives there.
11. Clay art. Sit on the ground, listen to music and play with clay in a quiet space in the park