The Chesapeake Public Charter School Chorus finished their entertaining, environmentally-themed performance with the old Negro spiritual “Wade in the Water.” Bernie Fowler, with his ever-present flag-emblazoned hat, stood outside the tent under which the children were performing at the annual St. Mary’s RiverFest Saturday at Historic St. Mary’s City. He listened intently, obvious joy on his face.

Fowler is the guru of the Chesapeake Bay environmental movement, with his wade-ins to heighten awareness of the problems and hopes of the Bay estuary. They are called “Bernie’s measure” as he sees how far he can walk and still see his sneakers.

After the Chesapeake Public Charter School Chorus performance, Fowler joined the kids on stage along with Joe Anderson, president of the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association, one of RiverFest sponsors. The children were obviously in awe of their hero, but Fowler said he was likewise in awe. “Do you really know how important you are?” Fowler asked the children, highlighting that they are the future and they are the ones who will insure that his work is carried on. A CD of their songs is expected out later this year.

The children then followed Fowler down to the waterfront with another of his patented wade-ins. This one was unique, because Fowler told the children that he had hung up his old sneakers that he has used for 25 years to measure the health of the rivers. His wade-ins first started at his home on Broome’s Island and have spread over the years to many venues.

Sporting brand new shoes Fowler said he would donate the old shoes at his next Patuxent wade-in, which is now held at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum.

Before wading in Fowler delivered a message of concern mixed with hope that his work will prevail. He was then joined by a crowd of young and old alike as they waded out until he could no longer see those brand new sneakers. When they returned to shore they all faced the river and thanked her.

RiverFest has always been a low key event mixing traditional music, environmental displays, activities for children both on the statehouse grounds and down at the waterfront. On the waterfront the Dove (a replica of one of the two ships that brought Maryland’s original colonists to the new world), was open for tours and stood as an impressive backdrop to the water oriented eve