Wild Blue River Festival Saturday, September 19th
This article was printed in the Gazette Virginian on 9.1.15.
"This year it's all about getting on the water." That's the answer you'll hear from events coordinator Rebecca Ramey if asked about this year's Wild Blue River Festival on September 19th. The event will be held from 8 am to 12 pm at the new King's Bridge Landing in the Town of Halifax (1041 Bethel Rd), and will feature races and a scenic float down the Banister River.
"We want people to enjoy the new boat landing and to experience the beauty that is the Banister River. I know there are many people in our county who would like to paddle the Banister, but are unsure they could get their boats on and off the water, or do not have the means to be able to shuttle their boats back to town."
So, this year the festival will have volunteers ready to help paddlers participate in the races and scenic paddle. Volunteers will also be on hand to help boaters get on the water at King's Bridge Landing, and at Terry's Bridge to help paddlers exit the water and carry their boats up the hill. Finally, Staunton River State Park and Tri River Outfitters will shuttle paddlers and their boats back to town.
The race categories will be: Men's Recreational Kayak, Women's Recreational Kayak, Men's Solo Canoe, Women's Solo Canoe, Tandem Kayak, and Tandem Canoe. The Kayak racers will launch at 9 am, followed by canoes at 9:30. The scenic paddle, a family friendly event, will run from 10 am-12 pm at the Landing.
People can come to the landing to climb the 26' climbing wall, enter the Halifax Village Association Kayak Raffle, try their hand at Gyotaku fish printing, enjoy children's activities, and visit with vendors. Visitors will also enjoy stopping in town to visit local businesses, eat at restaurants open for lunch and dinner, and the shop at the Halifax Farmer's Market.
Anyone interested in participating in the Wild Blue River Festival can find more information at www.halifax-events.com, or can contact Rebecca Ramey at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 470-4230.
