The Baltimore City Department of Public Works will host its fifth Dam Jam this Saturday, Aug. 20, offering free music, hikes and tours of Loch Raven Dam.
The event, which is slated for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. began in 2011 with the purpose of teaching people more about where the water they drink comes from.
By understanding how the dam and reservoir work, people not only get a sense of what their water bill goes toward, but also the importance of keeping the land and water clean, said public works spokesman Kurt Kocher. That means protecting the forest, not littering and not swimming in the reservoir.
"We want to educate our customers," Kocher said.
The event is held in two locations; food vendors, animal shows, music and art sales are held at Cromwell Valley Park, a venue that was added to the event in 2014 due to the event's popularity and need for more space, according to Kocher. The park is located about two miles to the southeast of the dam, at 2175 Cromwell Bridge Road. From the park, people can catch shuttle buses to the dam, where they will find tours, historical displays and trucks from the Providence Volunteer Fire Company.
Starting at 10:45, Hot Club of Baltimore will play '30s and '40s jazz, followed at 1:15 p.m. by Gary and the Groove, at Cromwell Valley Park.
People are welcome to bring chairs, blankets and their own food to the event.
Kocher said one particularly popular facet of the event is its animal presentations. This year, wildlife from the Carrie Murray Nature Center and Phoenix Nature Center will be at the event.
A hike to the historic lime kiln in Cromwell Valley Park is another popular attraction; the hike begins at 1 p.m.
"Everybody's got their own thing that they love," Kocher said.