Friends of the Yampa will open the 46th Annual Yampa River Festival with its annual State of the Yampa Address on Thursday, May 28, at the Bud Werner Library’s Library Hall in Steamboat Springs, according to a statement released on Monday.

The free event begins at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m., and will highlight current conditions in the Yampa River Basin, ongoing projects and programs, and this year’s snowpack compared to past seasons. 

Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District General Manager Andy Rossi is scheduled to speak about ongoing drought conditions in the valley, which persist despite recent cooler temperatures and moisture.

“The State of the Yampa Address is a community event for all Yampa River supporters to gather to talk about the pressing issues facing the Yampa and hear from Friends of the Yampa staff about what we are doing to protect and enhance the environmental and recreational integrity of the Yampa River,” said Friends of the Yampa Outreach Manager Katie Berning in the statement. 

The evening will also include a short film, “RiverWonderGrass: Pixie and the Partygrass Boys,” by Adrift Dinosaur.

Ticketed attendees will receive free popcorn and can purchase $5 beers from Mountain Tap Brewery. The event is open to the public, though advance tickets are encouraged.

For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/5678p6jp.