Staff Report

Get a raft crew or grab your kayak to make the first big splash for the summer with the Colorado Yagatta Regatta. On Saturday, June 7, the regatta will kick off the summer season with raft and kayak races open to everyone.

The races will run from Grizzly Creek in Glenwood Canyon to Two Rivers Park, at the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers in Glenwood.

The race portion will wrap up with a boat parade led by Commodore State Rep. Gregg Rippy, but that’s not the end of the activities.

There will be a costume regatta with sponsored, decorated rafts and costumed rafters in a parade down the Colorado River from Grizzly Creek to Two Rivers Park.

A perpetual trophy will be awarded in the professional kayak category; it will be displayed at City Hall. Prizes will also be awarded for the best-dressed crew and in the nonprofessional races.

Music will be on stage all day at the park, food vendors will provide the eats, and Colorado micro-breweries are bringing out their wares for a beer tasting.

The stage will be swinging and rocking with Jon Sommers and Twirp Anderson with Tom and Julie Paxton and Hayden Greg, the Dags and the Bottom Feeders. Music will start at 11 a.m. and run through 5 p.m.

On tap for tasting will be the Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company, Odell Brewing Co, the New Belgian Brewery, Tommy Knockers and Great Divide.

An advance ticket to park events and the race entry fee is $15; day of the race tickets are $20. Kids 6-12 cost $10, and anyone under 6 gets into the park free.

Tickets do not include the boat rental.

The Colorado Yagatta Regatta, designed to be an annual event, benefits Cooper Avenue Social Center – Adult Day Stay and Senior Activities. The Cooper Social Center at 824 Cooper Ave. provides adult day attendance for seniors and adults who need care during the day.

For information, call 945-8900.