The Ohio River Paddlefest

GREATER CINCINNATI / PADDLING CAPITAL OF THE U.S.

Ohio River Way — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:41:40 +0000

Cincinnati hosts Paddlefest, the largest annual paddling event of its kind, which draws more than 2,000 paddlers for a trip on the Ohio River.
Cincinnati enjoys the greatest variety of paddling-friendly streams. The streams include the Ohio, Great Miami, Little Miami, White Oak, Licking and Indian rivers as well as the Four Mile, Caesar Creek, Stonelick and O’Bannon creeks.
Cincinnati features the largest number of paddling-access points. Combined, the Ohio, Great Miami, Little Miami, Whitewater, Licking and Indian rivers have about 25 places to launch canoes and kayaks.
Cincinnati is home to Cincypaddlers, the largest locally based paddling club, which has more than 1,850 members.
Cincinnati contains the largest number of paddling specialty shops. Many cities are fortunate to have one paddling retailer. Cincinnati has five.
Cincinnati boasts the largest number of canoe and kayak liveries. Many cities have one or two liveries. Cincinnati has10.

2011 Paddlefest News Coverage

Ohio River Way — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 19:03:45 +0000

Check out this cool video on the Ohio River

Ohio River Way — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:50:52 +0000

Make sure you watch and listen to this piece on Cincinnati.Com about paddling and recreation on The Ohio River Paddlefest. Paddlefest founder Brewster Rhoads describes his connection with the river and how so many other people, from all walks of life also enjoy its beauty and function.

Mt. Washington’s Brewster Rhoads relaxes and renews with kayak adventures >

Oh what a Paddlefest weekend it was…

Ohio River Way — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:27:29 +0000

Nearly 2,000 paddlers in well over 1,100 canoes and kayaks enjoying a gorgeous morning on the mighty Ohio. Life is good in Greater Cincinnati!

Check out the Cincinnati Enquirer’s coverage – they caputred the spirt of this year’s event!

Our Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo, presented by the Hamilton County Park District, gave over 2,500 children the opportunity to paddle, fish and learn about the natural world here in their own backyard. Take a look at the video from News 5 of the Kids Expo.

Our Ohio River Music & Outdoor Festival drew the biggest crowd ever to listen to great local musicians on the WNKU Music Stage, meet our vendors, get great deals at our silent auction and gear swap, and enjoy our Cincy Paddlers Rolling Contest, our Jakson Kayak Fishing Tournament and our New Richmond Cardboard Boat Race.

Special thanks to our hard working volunteers, sponsors, entertainers, vendors, and law enforcement and water safety team for making Paddlefest such a fun “pep rally” for the Ohio!

Share your experiences at the Paddlefest Facebook page. Let us know what you liked about the event. We are always looking for ways to make the Paddlefest even more fun and meaningful!

Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 25, 2011 for our 10th Annual Ohio River Paddlefest. Help us to once again make next year’s event the largest – and most enjoyable – float trip in America! Want to REALLY experience the Ohio? Then join us for our 3rd Annual Great Ohio River Swim on Saturday, July 24. Be the first in your family to swim across the Ohio and back (just 900 yards) on a beautiful Saturday morning with the Ohio closed to boat traffic!

Thanks so much helping us celebrate, promote and protect the Ohio River, our region’s most precious natural asset.

Brewster Rhoads, Paddlefest Chair
Teresa Lubic, Paddlefest Director

PHOTOS:
We’re posting tons of photos from the entire Paddlefest Weekend. Check out our Flickr photostream, and you may see yourself or someone you know!

UPDATE:
View photo galleries from Cincinnati.Com for the Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo and Paddlefest.
Also, read what 2010 Paddlefest participants have to say about this year’s even at Active.com. Click here to read and post your own feedback.

Thank You!

Ohio River Way — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 11:27:08 +0000

Once again, another wonderful Paddlefest is in the books. Thank you so much to all our Paddlers, volunteers and sponsors.

We’ll be posting more news and photos in the upcoming weeks, so make sure to visit our website often. You can find Paddlefest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest updates as well.

Tri State Guide to the Outdoors

Ohio River Way — Sat, 29 May 2010 22:32:50 +0000

Do you like to paddle, hike, bike, fish, camp or enjoy a picnic in your local park?

Then this “Tri-State Guide to the Outdoors” is for you. Download Guide (.pdf 3.7mb)

It’s our effort to promote the rich array of outdoor recreational opportunities available right here in Greater Cincinnati. Use it to plan your next paddling trip on the Ohio, Little Miami, Licking, Great Miami or the Whitewater. Or your next bike ride, family camp out, fishing trip or day hike.

Share it with you co-workers and invite them to join you. Or use it to give your kids a day off from TV, cell phones and texting. They will enjoy it more than they – or you – think!

That’s what Paddlefest is all about… taking the time to experience the natural world in our own back yard. To see a beaver or blue heron as you paddle the Ohio. To catch bass, blue gill or catfish in our many rivers, streams and lakes. To spend a day cycling, walking or running in one of our region’s award winning parks. To slow down or speed up. It’s your call!

We are grateful for our generous sponsors, advertisers, donors and volunteers who helped us produce this Guide and make our 9th Annual Ohio River Paddlefest the largest paddling event in the US. The funds we raise from Paddlefest will help us produce next year’s Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo, further develop the Ohio River Water Trail program and finish the final segment of the Ohio River Bike Trail (downtown Cincinnati to Newtown).

Thanks for your support and participation. Together we are making a difference for the Ohio, the health of our children, and the quality of life in our tri-state region.

With appreciation,

Brewster Rhoads
On behalf of the Ohio River Paddlefest Steering Committee

Click here to download Guide (.pdf 3.7mb)

Breakdown: A Breakdown for a Breakdown

Ohio River Way — Sat, 29 May 2010 22:22:06 +0000

16 Local Roots Musicians band together for a one-night benefit to help save the PA Denny Riverboat Education Center, a floating classroom whose hull has sprung a leak.
What: 9th Annual Rivertown Breakdown: A Festival of American Roots Music – 15 genres represented. Features more than a DOZEN Cincinnati Entertainment Award winners and nominees.
When: Saturday, June 5th: 8pm – 2am
Where: Southgate House: 24 E. Third St. Newport, KY. 859-431-2201.
Why: A Benefit to help save the PA Denny Riverboat Education Center.
How Much: $15 (18+)
Website: RivertownBreakdown.com or MySpace.com/rivertownbreakdown
Sponsors: Christian Moerlein; CityBeat; WNKU 89.7 FM; ORSANCO Rivertown

Come for Paddlefest, Stay for Cincinnati!

Ohio River Way — Mon, 17 May 2010 22:19:52 +0000

While you’re here for Paddlefest Weekend (June 24, 25 & 26) check out the many other events and activities going on in Greater Cincinnati. This weekend guide from CincinnatiUSA.com has all the info you need to plan a great weekend in Cincinnati.

Paddlefest Registration Now Open

Ohio River Way — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:55:06 +0000

Registration for the 9th Annual Ohio River Paddlefest 2010 is now open! Save money and take advantage of our for special “Early Bird” rates. Paddlefest has grown into the largest on-water canoe and kayak festival in the Midwest and the largest in the entire country with over 1,800 paddlers attending from over 15 states ranging in age from 5 years to over 80. Register today for Paddlefest Weekend – June 24, 25 & 26, 2010 at Cincinnati’s Coney Island.

This year’s Paddlefest Weekend will feature fun, challenging and educational activities for folks of all ages and skill levels. The Kid’s Outdoor Adventure Expo begins on Thursday, June 24 at Coney Island. This year’s event is presented by Hamilton County Park District and sponsored by Duke Energy. For more information or to register for the Kid’s Expo check out our Kid’s Expo pages.

On Friday, June 25, the day begins with the launch of the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati Team River Runner adaptive paddling group, followed by canoe & kayak lessons, vendor exhibits, silent auction, registration & boat drop off (all day), Kayak Freestyle fun with Jammin’ with Jackson & Midwest Kayak Rolling Contest, Kayak Fishing Tournament presented by Jackson Kayak, wooden boat show, gear swap, cardboard boat races, paddler workshops and the annual Ohio River Music Festival bands.

On Saturday, June 26 join us for the the 9th annual paddle on the mighty Ohio River. The river is closed to all barge traffic and to assist with safety the US Coast Guard, Cincinnati Sail & Power Squadron and the Paddlefest Safety Patrol are set up on the water to help out where needed for this great event. Racers begin around 7:30 am traveling on a specific course while paddlers will begin at Coney Island traveling 8.2 miles down river between 8:30-9 am. All paddlers will end at the Public Landing where the Finish Line Festival should be in full swing with live music by Lagniappe (Cajun band), vendors, awards for racers, food, refreshments and a place to hang out with your friends until your ready to catch the shuttle back to Coney Island.

For additional information check out other pages on our website.
While you’re at it, become a fan of Paddlefest on Facebook and help spread the word!

Paddlefest Weekend 2010

Ohio River Way — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:33:43 +0000

Mark your calendars for the 9th Annual Paddlefest at Coney Island. The Kid’s Outdoor Adventure Expo will take place on Thursday, June 24 and Paddlefest on June 25 & 26. See ya there!