Rafts, canoes, kayaks and even rubber ducks will float down Rome’s rivers Aug. 18 as the Coosa River Basin Initiative hosts River Revelry—A Biodiversity Bash at Heritage Park in downtown Rome.

CRBI’s annual celebration of North America’s most biologically diverse river basin will include the Blue Sky Outfitter Recycled Raft Race on the Oostanaula River, a Cancer Navigators’ canoe and kayak paddle on the Etowah River and the Seven Hills Rotary Club Ducky Derby.

All of these events will converge on Heritage Park where more than 400 patrons are expected to partake in the party which features live music from Jerry on the Moon, boat rides on the Roman Holiday and CRBI’s Arnemetia patrol boat, silent and live auctions, beer from New Belgium Brewing Company, wine from Barefoot Wine & Bubbly and the Barbecue Battle in which professional and backyard barbecuers will compete to be named “Best Barbecue in the Coosa Basin.”

Gates open at 6 p.m. and the revelry continues until 11 o’clock. Tickets are available online at www.coosa.org for $40 or $35 each for two or more.

In the Blue Sky Outfitter’s Recycled Raft Race, teams will compete for a $200 cash purse and great prizes from Blue Sky Outfitter. Vessels must be constructed mostly of recycled materials. Entry fee is $50 per raft, with the raft captain receiving a complimentary ticket to River Revelry. Entry forms are available online at www.coosa.org or at Blue Sky Outfitter’s Rome and Cartersville locations.

The Cancer Navigator’s Survivor’s Cast off for Cancer Patients is a six-mile paddle from Grizzard Park to Heritage Park to raise money to assist individuals undergoing cancer treatments. Entry fee is $40 and includes boat rental and shuttle service. To learn more visit http://www.cancernavigatorsga.org/Paddle_Form.pdf.

A $500 cash prize will be up for grabs in the Seven Hills Rotary Club Ducky Derby. Hundreds of yellow rubber ducks will be released off the Robert Redden Footbridge over the Oostanaula. The first duck to Heritage Park is the winner and the individual holding the number of the winning duck takes home the cash.

The Barbecue Battle will feature barbecue from Big Bear’s, Johnny Mitchell’s Smokehouse, Bad Dad’s, Smokin’ Gun, Mark’s Plum Peachy, Ole Tymer and many more. Backyard and professional barbecue vendors interested in participating should contact Mike Sarver at 706-766-4435.

CRBI is teaming up with the Sexual Assault Center of Northwest Georgia’s Celebrity Dance Challenge which is also taking place Aug. 18. Patrons interested in attending both events can purchase discounted tickets online at www.coosa.org or by contacting the Sexual Assault Center 706-292-9024.

All proceeds from River Revelry support CRBI’s efforts to protect the region’s drinking water sources and North America’s most biologically diverse river basin.

The event is sponsored by The Ridge 95.7, WLAQ, Floyd Medical Center, State Mutual Insurance, V3 Magazine, Eagle Rock Distributing, Blue Sky Outfitter, Seven Hills Rotary Club of Rome, Southern Heritage Land Co., New Belgium Brewing, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, 7 Visuals Graphic Design, Paper Recovery of Georgia, Burgess Insurance Services, Weiss Lake Improvement Association, River City Bank, Old Havana Cigar Co, Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful, Fast Printing, The Finnell Firm, Carvalho & Associates, Ralph White & Friends, Clinton & Gena Agnew, The Rain Barrel Depot, VenueDog.com, Dempsey Lord Smith, Heritage First Bank, Bee Natural and North

Georgia Sign & Crane

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