Pete Seeger (Photo provided)

SARANAC LAKE — Pete Seeger’s banjo is inscribed with the words, “This banjo surrounds hate and forces it to surrender.” On May 4 at 7 p.m., people will gather again at the First Presbyterian Church of Saranac Lake’s Great Hall to celebrate Pete’s 100th birthday by sharing his music together.

Nearly 50 years ago, Seeger and his wife, Toshi, spearheaded an effort to build the Hudson River sloop Clearwater. They hoped if people had intimate knowledge of the pollution on the Hudson and could feel the wind and the water, they would be inspired to solve big problems one song at a time.

The Clearwater project’s efforts helped to pass the Clean Water Act in 1972.

Saturday’s event will include songs that Seeger sang and some original music based in the folk tradition and storytelling. Travis Jeffery a former captain of the Clearwater and friend of the Seeger’s will share stories and will perform. He will be joined by Celia Evans, Keith Gorgas, Duane Gould, Lisa and Klaus Meissner, Tom Techman, Bruce Thompson and others.

Free refreshments provided by the cooks and bakers of the Presbyterian Church congregation are available.

The event is free but donations for the Clearwater will be accepted. You can learn more about the Clearwater and its mission at www.clearwater.org.

The First Presbyterian Church of Saranac Lake is a Certified Earth Care Congregation.