10th Annual Back to the Chattahoochee River Race & Festival

Saturday, June 9, 2012
Garrard Landing Park and Riverside Park, Roswell

Registration opens April 11.

Paddlers of all ages and skill levels will take to the water on Saturday, June 9, for the 10th Annual Back to the Chattahoochee River Race and Festival. The race course begins at Garrard Landing Park on Holcomb Bridge Road and ends at Riverside Park in Roswell, the site of the FREE family-friendly festival, music and awards presentation.

Organized and presented by Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (UCR) in partnership with the National Park Service, Fulton County, and the city of Roswell, the event is organized to celebrate the Chattahoochee and foster a sense of community around the river that serves 3.5 million Georgians and 70 percent of metro Atlantans.

The race begins at 9 a.m. and includes open and recreational categories, various age divisions, solo and tandem canoe divisions, as well as kayak and sea kayak divisions. Paddlers wanting a competitive race will traverse the ten-mile course, while recreational paddlers will take the 8-mile course. Both include exciting Class I-II rapids and conclude at Riverside Park. Timing officials will be provided by Georgia Canoeing Association.

The festival at Riverside Park, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is free and family-friendly. Racers and others will enjoy live music plus Riverside Park’s “spray ground,” face painting, balloon artists and other family-friendly activities, as well as vendors and an array of environmental exhibits.

Awards will be presented in all categories at the conclusion of the race, including awards for Best Costume and Best Boat Decoration. The race also includes a Team Challenge as a way to build pride, morale and camaraderie among groups such as companies, schools, and clubs. Race fans can cheer on their favorite crafts from several locations: Island Ford, Don White Park and the takeout at the park. As a special treat for racers only, paddlers will be greeted at the end of the course by the SweetWater Beer Barge (UCR’s own pontoon boat). Paddlers can enjoy sodas, water, or a SweetWater brew (for patrons 21 and over carrying a valid ID) before going ashore.

Advanced registration is available April 11 through June 4 for the fee of $40 for solo boats and $60 for tandem boats. After June 4, onsite registration costs are $50 for solo and $70 for tandem boats and will be available based on capacity. All registered paddlers will receive a gift bag, a race T-shirt, a boxed lunch, and a one-year membership in UCR.
Proceeds go to support UCR’s mission to protect and preserve the Chattahoochee River system for the people and wildlife that depend upon it.

Become a Sponsor! With the continued threats our river faces, UCR needs your support more than ever. If you are interested in sponsoring this event or other UCR events, please contact Tammy Bates at tbates@ucriverkeeper.org or (404) 352-9828 x12.