Returning for its 14th year, the White Salmon River Festival will celebrate the White Salmon River, its communities, and its natural and cultural history on June 28 and 29.
Local boaters and community members will gather for celebration, education, river restoration, whitewater rafting and kayaking, food and dance. The White Salmon River is a Wild and Scenic River which provides an invaluable social, recreational, agricultural and economic natural resource to those who call it home. The festival reminds the community of the river’s importance. All community members are welcome to participate in all events throughout the festival.
A welcome addition to the festival in 2019 is an afternoon of kids’ activities and a barbecue after the Community Rafting trip on Friday, June 29, at the Husum Fire Hall.
This year, festival organizers are also excited for the involvement of the U.S. Forest Service, led by Wild and Scenic River and Wilderness Coordinator Casey Andrews and White Salmon River Ranger Jenny Stetson. Both are new to their positions at the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area this season.
The festival’s most attended event is the Community Rafting Trip, a heavily discounted White Salmon River rafting trip that usually attracts more than 100 guests. Many of these folks have never been on the river, despite living nearby. This year, $35 gets area locals onto the rafting trip, into the barbecue and the river symposium. The Community Rafting Trip sells out year after year.
“Aside from making the various events available for free or at low cost for our community members, this is also a way for the whitewater community to show our appreciation for being able to recreate on this river and to say, ‘Thank you’, and folks seem to love it. Each year we see so many longtime residents on the Community Rafting Trip and we get the kindest thank-you notes from people who have lived here for decades and finally experienced their first rafting trip down the White Salmon River. Many gain a whole new appreciation for this beautiful resource we have running through our community. Those smiles and notes are so rewarding and make it a pleasure to keep organizing the event each year,” says Jaco Klinkenberg, founder and co-organizer of the event.
Founded in 2006 by Wet Planet Whitewater, the festival has grown every year with the help of many other community members and organizations. This year’s White Salmon River Festival is a joint effort by the U.S. Forest Service, SHARE the White Salmon River, and Friends of the White Salmon River and Wet Planet.
In line with the event’s original vision, the grassroots festival is organized by the community and for the community. All proceeds after event costs will be donated to SHARE the White Salmon River education and outreach group, and Friends of the White Salmon River.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
June 28
q12 p.m. – Community Rafting Trip White Salmon River at Wet Planet Whitewater
Hosted and coordinated by Wet Planet Whitewater for area residents. Wet Planet Whitewater hosts this event to show appreciation to the community and area residents. Past participating local outfitters have been River Drifters, All Adventures, Wild Water, and All Star Rafting. The rafting trip price of $35 per person includes admission to the afternoon’s BBQ, kids’ activities and symposium. Reservations can be made by calling 509-493-8989.
q3 to 6 p.m. – BBQ and Kids’ Activities at the Husum Fire Station
Hosted by the U.S. Forest Service, SHARE the White Salmon River and more. After the Community Rafting Trip there will be a BBQ and fun and educational games and activities for the kids. Kids activities are free. BBQ is $10 and includes admission to the symposium.
q6 to 9 p.m. – Symposium at the Husum Fire Station
Hosted by Friends of the White Salmon River, SHARE the White Salmon River, Wet Planet Whitewater and more. An opportunity to ask questions, interact, and visit informational tables representing local organizations. More information on topics and speakers will be available soon. Recommended donation of $10
June 29
q10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Community Service Projects
Hosted by SHARE the White Salmon River, the U.S. Forest Service, Friends of the White Salmon River and more. Bring your friends and family and spend a day cleaning up and enjoying the White Salmon’s beautiful riverbanks and local trails. There will be several projects and locations, including the restoration site at Northwestern Park, BZ Falls, and Trout Lake.
1:30 p.m.: Kayak Race on the Green Truss Section of the White Salmon River
Hosted and facilitated Friends of the White Salmon River. Registration will take place at the event check in from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the BZ Corner Boat Launch.
q3:30 to 6 p.m.: Stoke Float, Middle White Salmon River Community Kayak Paddle
A fun post-Green Truss Race, non-guided group paddle on the Middle section of the White Salmon River.
q6:30 to 10 p.m.: Race Awards, Music and Dancing
Located at the Logs Inn in BZ Corner, this event is the festival’s closing celebration and the awards ceremony for the Green Truss Kayak Race. Donations for individual events are appreciated.
Proceeds go to SHARE the White Salmon River and Friends of the White Salmon River.
Event details and registration available on the White Salmon River Festival Facebook page (www.facebook.com/WhiteSalmonRiverFest/) or Wet Planet’s website (http://www.
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