Paddlefest showcases river today

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By Mark Hansel
Post staff reporter

The Ohio River will be filled with canoes today from the Four Seasons
Marina near Old Coney to the Serpentine Wall downtown.
The Ohio River Way Paddle-fest takes place along the six-mile stretch
of the river from 8 to 11 a.m.

The paddle float trip, which is expected to draw more than 1,000
canoeists and kayakers, is part of a two-day event organized by Ohio
River Way, an organization formed in 2000 to join communities and
people along the river.

"Our goal is to create a 150-mile recreational trail and greenway from
Maysville, Ky., to Madison, Ind.," said Paddlefest organizer Brewster
Rhoads.

"We hope (the Paddlefest) will make people more aware of this scenic
river and want to help restore it."

The festivities kicked off Friday night with the Paddler's Party and
Expo at the Four Seasons Marina in Columbia Tusculum. The Expo
included clinics and demonstrations, a boat show, a yard sale/gear
swap and entertainment.

Some participants in today's events camped out at the marina overnight
and viewed paddling films under the stars.

Today's activities begin with the paddle float trip, a leisurely jaunt
down the river in which boaters can enjoy the scenery and the company
of fellow river lovers.

The paddlefest includes several races for canoeists, including a
nine-mile amateur race and a 14-mile contest sanctioned by the
American Canoe Association.

The latter race carries a $3,000 purse.

There will also be sprint and war canoe races as part of the Finish
Line Festival. Racers will row 300 yards from the Purple People Bridge
to the Taylor-Southgate Bridge in those contests.

The river will be closed to barges and commercial traffic during the
festival, said Petty Officer Brian Seaman, a spokesman for the U.S.
Coast Guard .

The Finish Line Festival, which is free and open to the public,
features booths exhibiting river arts and recreation, history, ecology
and commerce at the Serpentine Wall downtown.

There will also be food and beverages and activities for children,
including a climbing wall, and live music.





Publication Date: 07-10-2004