Upcoming Event: Race for the Rivers Festival - August 27

If you are looking for an pleasant afternoon along the riverfront in historic St. Charles, then you couldn't pick a better day than Saturday, August 27th!  This is the date for this year's Race for the Rivers Festival.  The organizers are certainly grateful that Mother Nature seems to be cooperating and the Missouri River is not too high.

This event is run by the Greenway Network, a Stream Team Association (Stream Team 463) based in St. Charles, but committed to serving the St. Louis Region.  The Greenway Network is a grassroots, volunteer-based organization whose mission is to conserve natural resources, encourage sound management of the area's watersheds and protect the quality of life for all citizens.

The Races:
The Race for the Rivers Festival includes opportunities for paddlers of all strokes to challenge themselves and their competitors on the Mighty Missouri River.  They offer three races to accommodate various skill levels.  There are divisions for solo and tandem, canoe and kayak.  I paddled in the Clean Water Challenge in 2008 with Kelly White and had a blast.  I think I'll try it again this year!

• Race for the Rivers - a 65 mile race broken into two stretches: Washington, MO to Frontier Park on Saturday and Frontier Park to the Confluence with the Mississippi on Sunday.
• Clean Water Challenge - a 20 mile race beginning at  Weldon Spring and ending at Frontier Park on the festival grounds.
• The newest addition - a one-day, 41 mile race, from Washington, MO to Frontier Park. 

The Rides:
This year, Greenway Network has partnered with Trailnet to also offer Ride for the Rivers.  They offer two routes along the Katy Trail that begin and end at Frontier Park: 5 mile and 25 mile loops.

The Festival:
The highlight of this event for most folks is the festival.  You can easily spend a relaxing afternoon listening to music, watching the river go by and the paddlers floating in. The prime things to check out:

• Musical acts preforming on the main stage from noon till 7pm.
• Food and craft booths.
• Educational booths and activities for the kids.
• Watch the racers come in and enjoy the award ceremony.

I hope to see you there!!