Riverkeeper, West Point to host river rally

Published 6:00 pm Wednesday, May 1, 2019

WEST POINT — On Saturday, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and the City of West Point will host the fourth annual Chattahoochee Valley River Rally — a three-mile paddle trip and river celebration with live music and a low county crawfish boil.

The rally will kick off at 5 p.m. ET with the launch of kayaks, canoes and paddle boards at Hardley Creek Park. Once paddlers reach the Downtown River Park in West Point, there will be family-friendly festivities from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. that are free to the public.

There will be a dinner for $10 a plate, along with musical performances by the Front Porch Collective, Bernard Palmer and Horace Combs.

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Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Outreach Director Henry Jacobs said this event will have something for everybody, including those who don’t like to paddle but enjoy good music and a low country boil.

“It is kind of a two-phase event designed so there is something for everybody,” he said.

He said the past few years have seen more than 100 people on the river.

“It is a good event for somebody’s first time on the water,” Jacobs said. “If somebody is having trouble, there will be plenty of people with experience who can help them.”

All the proceeds from the event will support Chattahoochee Riverkeeper programs like the West Point Lake Floating Classroom and Neighborhood Water Watch, Jacobs said. 

“It is key to sustain our efforts to keep watch over our water and to continue to educate students on the West Point Lake Floating Classroom,” he said.

The paddle registration is $35 for adults and $25 for those under 21 years old. Registration includes pre-paddle shuttle service, dinner, two Sweetwater beers for adults and on-the-water support from staff and volunteers.

Lawn chairs and coolers without glass bottles are allowed in the park, which is open to the public. There is no charge to enjoy the festivities.

Jacobs said the food and music portion of the event will happen rain or shine. He said the paddling portion of the event will only happen if it is safe to be on the water.

There are 150 paddle spots available and potential paddlers can register online at www.chattahoochee.org/cvrr, or in person at Hardley Creek Park between 3 p.m and 4 p.m. on the day of the event. Boats will not be provided so Riverkeeper is asking participants to bring their own or reserve a rental.