For nine years Paddlefest has been celebrating the beauty of the Ohio River with the largest on-water canoe and kayak event featuring the Kid’s Outdoor Adventure Expo, the Ohio River Music and Outdoor Festival and the Paddle the Ohio paddling race, complete with a finish line festival.
The Kid’s Outdoor Expo takes place 9 a.m-noon and 1-4 p.m. Thursday and is the largest outdoor water safety and environmental education program for children in the Midwest. There will be hands-on activities, exhibits and presentations to engage children in the natural world. Children will also be able to participate in the “paddling” part of Paddlefest by taking canoes around Coney Island’s Lake Como.
On Friday at Coney Island, the Ohio River Music and Outdoor Festival features live music by bands including Jake Speed & the Freddies, the Rumpke Mountain Boys, Magnolia Mountain and more; paddling clinics; boat demos; the Midwest Kayak Rolling Championship; the Jackson Kayak Fishing Tournament; the New Richmond Cardboard Boat Race; a silent auction; a used canoe/kayak sale; workshops; outdoor vendors; and environmental education exhibits. That’s a lotta stuff!
And then on Saturday, Paddle the Ohio features a “massive flotilla of paddlers” racing down the mighty, muddy and beautiful Ohio River to Yeatman’s Cove for a finish line festival with live music by Lagniappe, food, vendors, Mt. Caramel beer and a racer awards ceremony.
Get more Paddlefest details here.