GEAUGA COUNTY, Ohio –– More than 300 organizations are coming together this weekend to honor the Cuyahoga River and its continued progress.

The Xtinguish Torch Fest celebration is an immersion into the culture of the Cuyahoga River and the efforts to continue to keep it clean.

The West Creek Conservancy kicked off the celebration with dancers from the Lake Erie Native American Council.

“The camaraderie and the solidarity around our shared waterway and the Native Americans are the keepers of our land and the keepers of our water, having them come together around the river that was Cuyahoga the crooked river by the Native Americans was a beautiful way to start this festival series that going to be over the next 4 days," said Peter Bode of the West Creek Conservancy.

Marlys Rambeau, the Chairperson for the Lake Erie Native American Council told us, “It’s awesome because considering the river was in such bad shape that it caught on fire it couldn’t be put out and it was literally dead. Now the river has recovered somewhat, it’s not catching on fire anymore and the wildlife is coming back and it’s getting cleaner and cleaner but it needs to continue.”

Some of the Native Americans attending the Torch Fest say it's vital to be a part of the restoration of the river.

“I think it’s great to be involved in this, not a lot of the time we are thought of as contributing our voices to these things but you are on native land, this is native land always has, and always will be, an I think it’s fitting we are the ones that give the first blessing and send off this anniversary in a good way.”

There will be events all weekend long similar to this one celebrating the progress of the Cuyahoga River.