06-19-2013, 11:10 AM
SALIDA, COLO. - The nation's oldest river event comes to the banks of the Arkansas River this Thursday-Sunday when Salida hosts the 65th annual FIBArk Whitewater Festival presented Eddyline Brewing.
This celebration of boating, free music, beer, food and everything outdoors draws hundreds of athletes and thousands of spectators to historic downtown and Riverside Park. And, with spring runoff reaching a peak flow along the Arkansas River in the next few days, conditions are near perfect for whitewater competitions.
FIBArk is short for "First In Boating The Arkansas," and dates back to some of the first kayaking canoeing races ever held in North America starting in 1949. While the event holds its roots in river events such as slalom and the legendary 26-mile downriver race, other events like a parade, carnival, raft rodeo, kids activities and the wild Hooligan race make FIBArk a crowd favorite.
Throw in a handful running races, a hill climb, freestyle kayaking, stand up paddling and a mountain bike race and it's no wonder FIBArk becomes one of the most prestigious mountain festivals in the nation.
FIBArk begins Thursday afternoon with the annual Tenderfoot Hill climb, a footrace that involves running to the top of a 750-foot tall hill near downtown. Also on Thursday are a raft sprint race and a raft rodeo. On Friday, the nation's top freestyle kayak competitors take center stage on the river where they compete for cash prizes and other awards.
Saturday is perhaps the biggest day of FIBArk, starting with the annual parade. The slalom competitions are the morning's river event and will feature international champions, Olympic medalists and some of the nation's top slalom racers in kayaks and canoes.
Saturday afternoon the river becomes the site for the wild Hooligan race when the banks of the river are filled to capacity with people watching as anything that floats which isn't a boat is launched into the river. Hooligans compete for a cash prize, and in true FIBArk fashion, the winner is the second craft to pass the finish line.
FIBArk finishes Sunday with the downriver event and a crazy river dog competition. The downriver race goes 26 miles from Salida to Cotopaxi and tests the stamina and strength of competitors. With average water flows this year, racers will finish in a little more than 2 hours.
New for this year, FIBArk features an improved carnival with more than a dozen rides including a 70-foot Ferris wheel. Judges for river events and spectators will also benefit from the increased use of technology which includes touch screen scoring systems for judges and an improved scoring display system for spectators and competitors.
FIBArk also features free music in Riverside Park, adjacent to the river. Several Colorado-based bands are playing including the up and coming bluegrass band Head for the Hills on Saturday. Eddyline Brewing from Buena Vista will serve a variety of award winning beers, including their River Runners Pale Ale which won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. Vino Salida, a local winery, will serve their Colorado-made wine. Dozens of craft booths and food vendors will line the streets of downtown and Riverside Park, making FIBArk a truly unique Colorado event.
A complete listing of all FIBArk events and history may be found at www.fibark.net.
Media Contact
Christopher Kolomitz, FIBArk Board member<br />
719-207-3956 cell<br />
719-539-2434 office<br />
ckolomitz@gmail.com
This celebration of boating, free music, beer, food and everything outdoors draws hundreds of athletes and thousands of spectators to historic downtown and Riverside Park. And, with spring runoff reaching a peak flow along the Arkansas River in the next few days, conditions are near perfect for whitewater competitions.
FIBArk is short for "First In Boating The Arkansas," and dates back to some of the first kayaking canoeing races ever held in North America starting in 1949. While the event holds its roots in river events such as slalom and the legendary 26-mile downriver race, other events like a parade, carnival, raft rodeo, kids activities and the wild Hooligan race make FIBArk a crowd favorite.
Throw in a handful running races, a hill climb, freestyle kayaking, stand up paddling and a mountain bike race and it's no wonder FIBArk becomes one of the most prestigious mountain festivals in the nation.
FIBArk begins Thursday afternoon with the annual Tenderfoot Hill climb, a footrace that involves running to the top of a 750-foot tall hill near downtown. Also on Thursday are a raft sprint race and a raft rodeo. On Friday, the nation's top freestyle kayak competitors take center stage on the river where they compete for cash prizes and other awards.
Saturday is perhaps the biggest day of FIBArk, starting with the annual parade. The slalom competitions are the morning's river event and will feature international champions, Olympic medalists and some of the nation's top slalom racers in kayaks and canoes.
Saturday afternoon the river becomes the site for the wild Hooligan race when the banks of the river are filled to capacity with people watching as anything that floats which isn't a boat is launched into the river. Hooligans compete for a cash prize, and in true FIBArk fashion, the winner is the second craft to pass the finish line.
FIBArk finishes Sunday with the downriver event and a crazy river dog competition. The downriver race goes 26 miles from Salida to Cotopaxi and tests the stamina and strength of competitors. With average water flows this year, racers will finish in a little more than 2 hours.
New for this year, FIBArk features an improved carnival with more than a dozen rides including a 70-foot Ferris wheel. Judges for river events and spectators will also benefit from the increased use of technology which includes touch screen scoring systems for judges and an improved scoring display system for spectators and competitors.
FIBArk also features free music in Riverside Park, adjacent to the river. Several Colorado-based bands are playing including the up and coming bluegrass band Head for the Hills on Saturday. Eddyline Brewing from Buena Vista will serve a variety of award winning beers, including their River Runners Pale Ale which won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. Vino Salida, a local winery, will serve their Colorado-made wine. Dozens of craft booths and food vendors will line the streets of downtown and Riverside Park, making FIBArk a truly unique Colorado event.
A complete listing of all FIBArk events and history may be found at www.fibark.net.
Media Contact
Christopher Kolomitz, FIBArk Board member<br />
719-207-3956 cell<br />
719-539-2434 office<br />
ckolomitz@gmail.com