Families learned about everyday ways they can contribute to the health of local waterways during the second annual River and Creek Fest Saturday.

The Nansemond River Preservation Alliance event at Bennett’s Creek Park included several additional groups, such as Suffolk River Heritage and the Virginia Living Museum.

The combined effect was a host of informative, hands-on displays.

“It’s an exciting morning so far — you can clearly see the interaction,” said Elizabeth Taraski, the alliance’s executive director, shortly after the event began at 9:30 a.m.

“The goal is for the citizens, families and children to really interact with the exhibits.”

One popular exhibit was a model of a community, complete with houses, construction site, golf course and farm.

When it was sprayed with water, children were able to see how rain washes things like lawn fertilizer and pet droppings into our waterways, harming water quality.

The model even included a ruptured sewer line, demonstrating the effects of an accident that occurred in Suffolk not long ago.

“They are both very much into nature,” said Catherine Williams, explaining why she brought her grandchildren to the event.

“They learn a lot about it in school now (and) they are literally teaching me a lot about the waterways.”

They often go out on a boat fishing with their dad, she added, another activity that gives 7-year-old Tucker Legg and 9-year-old Nathan Legg insight into local waterways.

Scharlese Hicks said her daughter, 6-year-old Tianna Hicks, who enjoyed the day with a bunch of her cousins all the way from Indiana and Georgia, learned about the event at Mack Benn Elementary School.

“I thought it would be good for them to come and learn about the earth and the wildlife and how to preserve it,” Hicks said.

The Virginia Living Museum exhibit taught kids a variety of things, including the importance of not littering and basic concepts of biology.

The event was also a chance for students participating in an alliance oyster gardening project to plant mollusks they have been growing on their home docks and elsewhere.

Boatloads of students headed out on the water with buckets of baby oysters, depositing them on reefs.

“This was the first time we had them at our house,” said Jamie Newman of the Crittenden, Eclipse and Hobson Girl Scouts.

About 15 volunteers were also at the park picking up trash for the 25th annual Clean the Bay Day. More volunteers were took part at several other sites around the city.