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On Saturday June 1, 2013, the Battenkill Conservancy will host the popular The Battenkill Runs Through It Beach & Music Festival in Greenwich, New York. The annual event kicks off the summer season at the town’s 2.2 acre community park that lies on the banks of the Battenkill just north of the Village of Greenwich on Route 29. 

This year's co-sponsor, WEXT radio presents The Roadhouse Rhythm & Blues Band, a high energy, horn driven group of seasoned musicians who will provide the day's musical entertainment.   Hubbard Hall expands the fun by presenting River Rhythms, If Books Could Dance, a program in which the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company and percussionist Brian Melick of UDABOY Music will conduct community drumming circles and movement workshops on the banks of the river.   Other river related activities include fly fishing and fly tying demonstrations, kayak and canoe rides and a kid friendly river bugs’ science table.
The Battenkill Picnic Plate, anchored this year by Boneyard BBQ's tasty ribs will feature local restaurants' most popular dishes such as Spoonful Catering's roasted vegetables, Dish Bistro's red cabbage coleslaw, Espresso Huis's bean salad and Amigo's Cantina spicy black beans offering festival goers to a chance to sample some of the area's best eateries.  In all, ten area restaurants are represented including The Village Cafe, Washington Square Deli, Saratoga Springs Cantina, 111 Restaurant & The Ice Cream Man.

The Battenkill Bidding Board silent auction will offer chances to bid on an Orvis Fly Fishing Outfit, a plane ride spanning the length of the Battenkill or a kayak trip down river.  A raffle for a YMCA gift card valued at $350 will also take place the day of the event. Entry tickets ($12 for Adults, $8 for youth 6-12 years and free for children 5 and under) include all activities and food and can be purchased in advance by going to  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/385023

The Battenkill Runs Through It Festival was created in 2011 as an area-wide celebration to bring greater public awareness of the river and provide outreach for Battenkill Conservancy's mission of preserving and enhancing the Battenkill watershed through education, advocacy, conservation and the River Watch program

The Battenkill Conservancy ("BkC") has launched a Partnership Plan where current members and supporters of the organization will receive a Battenkill Conservancy Membership Discount Card entitling them to special discounts at participating partners. The Membership Partners, made up of area shops, clubs and organizations, will support BkC's mission of watershed preservation and enhancement by offering special discounts to BkC Members.  The Membership Partners include Battenkill Books, Gardenworks Farm, Olde Saratoga Bike & Boards, Battenkill Country Club and the Saratoga Regional YMCA, Battenkill Branch. Discounts range from 10% off of goods and services to free guest passes for the YMCA.

The Partnership Plan was conceived by BkC's Board as a way to thank its members for their ongoing support of the all-volunteer, grass roots organization. The partners were chosen for their commitment to BkC's mission of watershed preservation and enhancement through education, advocacy, conservation and the River Watch Program. An example includes the Battenkill Country Club, a nine  hole golf course with over 700 feet of frontage on the Battenkill that was recently certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Certification is a voluntary three year process that entails a commitment to water quality conservation, chemical use reduction and wildlife management. The Battenkill Country Club is made up of 75 acres, 40 of which are designated Federal & State Wetlands.  

Other partners such as Connie Brooks of Battenkill Books focuses on promoting the Battenkill Valley area, its history and the river through the books she carries as well as special events highlighting local writers, places and events. As proprietor of the Olde Saratoga Bike & Boards shop in Schuylerville, Jeff Cook is always willing to offer expert advice and top quality equipment for those who want to enjoy the Battenkill watershed on a bike.

Meg Southerland of Gardenworks Farm in Salem knows the value of preserving the simple beauty of the watershed and its surrounding countryside by offering a bounty of dried flowers, in season fruits, berries and vegetables and their more recent endeavor, the coveted Farm to Table Dinners.  Finally, the Saratoga Regional YMCA has proven to be a popular asset to the community since establishing its Battenkill Branch and refurbishing the main street building owned by the Village of Greenwich. This spring the YMCA will conduct lifeguard certification training for the town's Summer Swim Program that takes place on the banks of the Battenkill in Greenwich. The Membership Partners have all participated in and supported the annual Battenkill Runs Through It Beach & Music Festival, taking place this year on June 1, 2013 at the Greenwich Town Beach. 

While the Membership Discount Card is only being sent to current BkC members and supporters, new and renewing members will be eligible to receive a card during the upcoming Spring 2013 Membership Drive.  BKC also expects to expand the program by adding to the list of participating Membership Partners going forward.