The Black Warrior Riverkeeper will mark its 10th year of advocating clean water practices in the Birmingham area with beer, food and live music. Though the actual 10-year anniversary of the group is September 22, the Riverkeepers have been celebrating all year, and decided to bring the party to Tuscaloosa early.

The organization’s event, Cruisin’ on the River, will be from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 6. SweetWater Brewing Company will provide the beer as a promotion for its month-long collaboration with the Riverkeepers, and Food Studio B will provide the dinner.

Charles Scribner, executive president of the Riverkeepers, said he’s excited for the event for several reasons.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to celebrate what we’ve done but also to get the word out to new people to support us,” he said.

Scribner said not many people understand that the Riverkeepers protect not only the Black Warrior River, but they make sure the watershed, from which much of the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham area gets its drinking water, stays clean and viable.

“It’s about much more than environmentalism,” he said.  “It’s about public health and preserving the natural water supply.”

Blake Ellett, an intern for the Riverkeepers, said he has enjoyed working with the group and is looking forward to the event.

“It’s pretty impressive,” he said.  “The organization has grown substantially in the last couple of years, and the celebration will be a good opportunity for it to continue to grow.”

Jenn Patterson, program director for the organization, said the cruise should be just perfect for sunset, with check-in starting at 5:30 p.m. at the dock of the Bama Belle Riverboat.

The event is limited to those 21 and up, but children 12 and under are welcome if accompanied by their parents. Tickets are $40 each and can be purchased at bwrk.eventbrite.com.  More information can be found at BlackWarriorRiver.org.