In promotion of water recreation and appreciation, the Cedar River Watershed District is offering a drawing for a new canoe at this weekend’s Austin Home & Vacation Show.

CRWD is participating for the first time in the 40th annual show at Packer Arena in Austin as part of an effort to better connect with the public to provide information about the Cedar River and other local waterways. The CRWD staff also seeks to connect with agricultural landowners in the watershed who might be interested in partnering on projects to reduce flooding and improve water quality.

“We are looking forward to talking with people not only about the many ways the CRWD is working hard to improve the local waterways but also the natural beauty and fun available by paddling down the Cedar River,” CRWD Administrator Bev Nordby said in a press release.

Those who stop by the CRWD’s booth can register in the drawing for a Pelican Explorer Deluxe canoe (a nearly $500 value) with features that include two folding seats, two vertical rod holders and carrying handles. It weighs 86 pounds and is 14.5 feet long.

CRWD’s booth at the event also will feature numerous poster-size pictures of historic and present-day images of scenes along the Cedar River in Mower County and an array of informational handouts, including the CRWD’s recently published 2013 Annual Report.