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GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — For the first time in its five-year history, kayakers will have their place in the Colorado Yagatta Regatta whitewater event festivities June 2 in Glenwood Springs.
But organizers hope they move a bit faster than the rafters.
After costumed rafters float downstream from Grizzly Creek to Two Rivers Park, kayakers will race the same route to support Glenwood's proposed whitewater park. The fastest boaters win prizes from Glenwood Canyon Kayak.
"It will be nice to have a presence there," said Chris Vogt, a whitewater park steering committee member and co-owner of Glenwood Canyon Kayak. "We're laying the groundwork for future fundraisers."
The $25 kayak-race entry fee benefits the planned whitewater park and includes a ticket to the Colorado Yagatta Regatta at Two Rivers Park. The family-friendly event returns with live music by The Nacho Men, The Sirens and The Frankie Martin Band, beer tastings, food, and children's activities.
Along with the kayak race, also new this year is an art exchange allowing artists to sell their work and the general public to benefit from their own collections.
"Artists or anyone who wants to sell art hanging on their walls of their living rooms can participate," event organizer Bob Johnson said. "They'll make a profit, and some of the proceeds go to Operation Vacation."
The Regatta supports Operation Vacation, a program that provides military personnel who have fought overseas with all expenses-paid trips to Glenwood. Tickets for entrance into the park are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. Rafts can be rented — with or without guides — through Whitewater Rafting by calling 945-8477.
"If you need a raft, it's $35 with a guide, or $25 without," Johnson said. "And that includes park entrance."
There's no entry fee for the costume contest-floatilla, although private boaters must call Whitewater Rafting before launching at 11:30 a.m. at Grizzly Creek. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver before rafting.
"We'll have a costume contest for boats — first, second and third," Johnson said.
The kayak race should also generate some excitement, Johnson said.
"We're going to do that in between the music so people can go stand on the passenger bridge and watch and cheer them on," he said.
Vogt hopes the integration of kayaking into the Regatta will help increase enthusiasm for the construction of the valley's first and only whitewater park.
"We're looking good on all fronts, and waiting for the GOCO (Great Outdoors Colorado) grant," he said, of the project. "We still need private support, and are looking for in-kind donations - especially with rocks and rock moving. We're moving rocks the size of Volkswagens. It's going to be an amazing undertaking to watch and I'm very excited to be a part of it."
Contact April Clark: 945-8515, ext. 16601
aclark@postindependent.com
But organizers hope they move a bit faster than the rafters.
After costumed rafters float downstream from Grizzly Creek to Two Rivers Park, kayakers will race the same route to support Glenwood's proposed whitewater park. The fastest boaters win prizes from Glenwood Canyon Kayak.
"It will be nice to have a presence there," said Chris Vogt, a whitewater park steering committee member and co-owner of Glenwood Canyon Kayak. "We're laying the groundwork for future fundraisers."
The $25 kayak-race entry fee benefits the planned whitewater park and includes a ticket to the Colorado Yagatta Regatta at Two Rivers Park. The family-friendly event returns with live music by The Nacho Men, The Sirens and The Frankie Martin Band, beer tastings, food, and children's activities.
Along with the kayak race, also new this year is an art exchange allowing artists to sell their work and the general public to benefit from their own collections.
"Artists or anyone who wants to sell art hanging on their walls of their living rooms can participate," event organizer Bob Johnson said. "They'll make a profit, and some of the proceeds go to Operation Vacation."
The Regatta supports Operation Vacation, a program that provides military personnel who have fought overseas with all expenses-paid trips to Glenwood. Tickets for entrance into the park are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. Rafts can be rented — with or without guides — through Whitewater Rafting by calling 945-8477.
"If you need a raft, it's $35 with a guide, or $25 without," Johnson said. "And that includes park entrance."
There's no entry fee for the costume contest-floatilla, although private boaters must call Whitewater Rafting before launching at 11:30 a.m. at Grizzly Creek. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver before rafting.
"We'll have a costume contest for boats — first, second and third," Johnson said.
The kayak race should also generate some excitement, Johnson said.
"We're going to do that in between the music so people can go stand on the passenger bridge and watch and cheer them on," he said.
Vogt hopes the integration of kayaking into the Regatta will help increase enthusiasm for the construction of the valley's first and only whitewater park.
"We're looking good on all fronts, and waiting for the GOCO (Great Outdoors Colorado) grant," he said, of the project. "We still need private support, and are looking for in-kind donations - especially with rocks and rock moving. We're moving rocks the size of Volkswagens. It's going to be an amazing undertaking to watch and I'm very excited to be a part of it."
Contact April Clark: 945-8515, ext. 16601
aclark@postindependent.com
