5th Annual Fremont Paddling Festival 2011

Saturday, August 20

Rivers Unlimited, Inc. presents the 5th Annual Fremont Paddling Festival along the Great Miami River.    This event highlights the success of the Adopt-A-Stream program, as well as the recreational potential of this magnificent river.  With these goals in mind, Rivers Unlimited has planned a full day of paddling races, a recreational float, home-made raft race, and river recreation workshops.  Support Ohio's statewide river conservation and restoration organization by joining us at this event.

All racers should sign-in at the Riverfront West Pavilion in Miamitown.  A shuttle will take you and your boat to the start location.  The finish line will be in Miamitown at the Riverfront West Pavilion.

DAY OF REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE.  PLEASE CALL 425-358-0363 FOR MORE INFORMATION. 

 19-Mile Race: This race starts past the low dam in Hamilton, Ohio off of Neilan Blvd at 9:30AM.  (Approximate street address 1915 Neilan Blvd, Hamilton, OH). Your shuttle will leave at 8:30AM.  Fee:  $25 per racer  ($25 per team member in a canoe).

10-Mile Race: This race starts at Heritage Park (Hamilton County, Colerain Township) - 11405 East Miami River Road, at 10:30 AM    www.coleraintwp.org/heritage_park.cfm  Your shuttle will leave at 10:00AM Fee:  $15 per racer  ($15 per team member for canoes).

Recreational Float: The float starts at Dravo Park (Hamilton County, Colerain Township) - Fairfield OH 45014, at 11:30AM.  www.coleraintwp.org/dravo.cfm      (No address - but 2000 feet west of 8625 East Miami River Road).  Your shuttle will leave at 11:30 AM.  Fee:  $15 per floater  ($15 per individual in each canoe.  Each person must register online.) 

BIRTHDAY PARTIES (and other gatherings): 

 If you have a birthday in August or September or just want to celebrate, join us on the Recreational Float.  Register for the float and drop Rivers Unlimited a note about your special day.  Please email info@riversunlimited.org. 

Boat Rentals: There will be canoes and kayaks available for rent for the races or the float.  Canoes are $15, Kayaks $10. 

Awards: The awards ceremony will begin at 12:30PM at the Riverfront West Pavilion. 

Lunch: Spectators and participants may purchase lunch from Jak's Dugout, a local restaurant, located at the Riverfront West Pavilion selling food.  Beer can be purchased at the No Worries Sports Bar. 

Expo: Throughout the day, area organizations and businesses will provide information to the racers and spectators in the Riverfront West Pavilion in Miamitown.  Be sure to stop by for some free items and great information.

River Recreation Workshops: River recreation workshops will take place near the Riverfront West Pavilion.  Registration not required.   Workshops begin after the awards ceremony.  Workshops include: White Water Kayak Relay, Kayak Polo, Fly Fishing Demonstration, Paddling Demo.

Gear Swap:  Bring your old sports equipment and check out what others have to offer at the Fremont Gear Swap. 

Parking: Parking will be available at the Riverfront West Pavilion behind the No Worries Sports Bar in Miamitown.  The address is 7958 Harrison Avenue, Miamitown, OH 45002.  To locate parking, drive to the right of the No Worries Sports Bar past the chain-link fence to the pavilion behind the building.

Camping: Free camping will be available at the Riverfront West Pavilion for the night of Saturday, August 20.  There will be plenty of room for everyone to pitch a tent or sleep under the stars while listening to the river splash by. 

Rain-out Date: The rain-out date for this event will be Sunday, August 21.  You will receive an email or phone call in the unfortunate event that the Fremont Paddling Festival must be moved due to weather.

Refunds: Refunds will be provided only if the weather or the river does not permit the running of the races and the float.  Local canoe liveries have determined navigation to be safe on the river at when river runs below 4000 cubic feet per second.

A Special “Thanks!” to our Sponsors:  Innovative Labeling Solutions, Benchmark Outfitters, Miami Conservancy District, Friends of the Great Miami, Jak's Dugout, Mountain Khakis, 91.3 WYSO.

Volunteers: If you would like to volunteer for this event, please email info@riversunlimited.org

Volunteers will be needed at the starting lines, finish line, and on the river.  If you volunteer on the river, you must provide your own boat and life jacket.

Please email all questions to info@riversunlimited.org.  For more information about Rivers Unlimited, Inc. please visit www.riversunlimited.org.