In Denizli, the 852-year-old tradition was symbolically performed, this time in the dried-up riverbed.

Citizens gathered at the Köprübaşı location, where the river passes, in an event organized by the Aşağıseyit Neighborhood Headman's Office, the Çal Region Aid and Solidarity Association, and the Çallı Businessmen's Association.

Every year, sheep are forced to swim across the river, but this time, due to the receding waters, the sheep were forced to walk through the riverbed. Citizens also attended the event, holding signs reading "Water is life, lifeblood is a right."

Mehmet Atılsın, President of the Çallı Industrialists and Businessmen's Association, stated that the competition couldn't be held this year due to the receding waters in the river. He said, "This is a tragedy. The drying up of the Menderes River over the last five years has caused ecological disruption. Grapes have been harvesting earlier in the last five years. The lack of water has not only damaged the economy but also the ecology of this region. A river that doesn't flow destroys not only the agricultural structure of a region but also its cultural continuity."

Prof. Dr. Bülent Topuz, Vice President of the Çal Region Assistance and Solidarity Association, said, "There's no Menderes left to wade through. This is a tragic situation. We're not looking for culprits here; we're looking for a solution. The Menderes absolutely must be a lifeline. It must be a source of water for wolves, birds, and insects. Water is life; lifeline water is a right. We're telling the authorities that this place must be protected. We want this activity to continue. A nation exists through its culture. When you destroy culture, that nation disappears."

Çal Mayor Ahmet Hakan and Aşağıseyit Neighborhood Headman Saffet Oğuz also emphasized that the river must be restored to its current state to keep the tradition alive.

In a statement made by Çal Municipality in May, it was announced that the event would be held at the end of July this year due to drought, but Çal District Governorship announced that the event would not be held in order to prevent the spread of the SAT-1 type of foot and mouth disease seen in Türkiye.

This year, the event was held symbolically with the participation of around 30 animals in the Aşağıseyit neighborhood to draw attention to the drought.