Rally on the River
Riverside Park
Saturday, April 23rd
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Kayakers, canoeists and rafters will gather at Bay City’s Riverside Park for a leisurely 7-mile float trip up the Colorado River following a ceremonial start at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 23rd.
The 8th Annual Rally on the River is a free, non-competitive paddling and rowing excursion designed to encourage appreciation of nature. For non-paddlers and land lubbers there will be a variety of games, activities and crafts to participate in from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Food Trucks will be on-site to satisfy the hunger of returning paddlers and land lubbers.
The experience on the river will encourage participants to adopt conservation and non-pollution efforts that will have a measurable benefit to Texas streams, lakes aquifers and bays.
Shawn Blackburn, Parks and Recreation Director issued an enticing invitation to prospective participants:
“We want to encourage paddlers and all others to support this unique water awareness event,” said Blackburn. “The beautiful waters and shores of Matagorda County are great ways to explore nature-based recreation, relaxation and learning here along the central Texas coast.” “We invite everyone to come out and discover Bay City hospitality and natural excitement of Bay City and Riverside Park,” Blackburn said.
Bay City Parks and Recreation anticipates that Rally on the River will gain significant momentum as an effective mechanism for drawing public attention to the Colorado River, Riverside Park and attract an ever-growing number of participants according to Kelly Penewitt, Parks and Recreation Manager. “It is our expectation that it will become one of the most prominent organized gathering of paddlers and nature enthusiasts in the area,” Penewitt said.
Depending on the paddling or rowing style and pace of involved boaters, it is estimated that the River Run participants should finish in 2.5 to 4 hours.
LCRA’s Rangers, equipped with a first aid kit, supplemental water and a tow rope, will follow the flotilla in a powered chase boat.
There will be a limited number of rental kayaks, on a first-come, first-served basis to those without access to paddling or rowing watercrafts for $10/boat. Early sign up is strongly encouraged if requesting a loaner.
"He who hears the rippling of rivers in these degenerate days will not utterly despair." H.D. Thoreau