Get in the water and support a great cause, or cheer on participants, during Ohio River Paddlefest, as the nation's largest paddling event returns this Saturday, Aug. 5.
Local nonprofit Adventure Crew hosts the river-centric event, now in its 22nd year.
Adventure Crew’s Outdoors for Expo, a free community event celebrating all things outdoors, will kicks off Paddlefest weekend on Friday, August 4.
“Between Ohio River Paddlefest and the Outdoors for All Expo, Paddlefest weekend has become a can’t-miss event for outdoor enthusiasts,” said Miriam Wise, director of support and engagement for Adventure Crew. “Mark your calendars and invite your friends and family to join us the first weekend in August for this much-loved annual tradition.”
Paddlefest brings 2,000 paddlers in kayaks, canoes and SUPs to the Ohio River each August. Participants can choose between two distances to paddle the Ohio while it’s closed to motorized traffic, making the event accessible to paddlers of all skill levels.
Ohio River Paddlefest
Schmidt Recreation Complex
2944 Humbert Ave.
Register for Paddlefest
Friday, Aug. 4
4-9:30 p.m
Outdoors for All Expo
This Paddlefest pre-party feature hands-on demos, live music, food and drinks. .
More information
Saturday, Aug. 5
Ohio River Paddlefest
7 a.m.
Paddlers launch from Schmidt Recreation Complex at 7 a.m., and all paddlers will launch by 8:30 a.m.
See full schedule for the event www.ohioriverpaddlefest.org/schedule
The nine-mile paddle ends with a Finish Line Festival, featuring music by The Sunburners, food trucks and MadTree beer, at Gilday Recreation Complex in Riverside. For a shorter adventure, the 4.5-mile Paddlefest MINI finishes at the Public Landing in Downtown Cincinnati. Both paddling routes start at Schmidt Recreation Complex, 2944 Humbert Ave. in the East End.
Friday night’s Outdoors for All Expo, is free and open to the public. The event has grown to feature around 70 exhibitors, including local parks, outdoor outfitters, adventure experts and environmentally minded organizations, with hands-on demos.
The event also includes music by Jake Speed & the Freddies, Honey & Houston and Ma Crow & Company, plus raffles, food trucks, and beer from MadTree. his year’s Expo runs from 4-9:30 p.m. at Schmidt Recreation Complex.
A new addition to Paddlefest this year is a kayak bass fishing tournament spanning both Friday and Saturday that lets anglers compete for prizes and bragging rights while fishing any of three tributaries of the Ohio: Great Miami River, Licking River or Little Miami River.
Paddlefest is organized by and is a benefit for Adventure Crew, a nonprofit that connects city teens in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky with nature and each other through engaging outdoor adventures.
“Every dollar we raise through Paddlefest supports that mission,” Wise said. “So by signing up to paddle on Saturday or buying raffle tickets and a beer on Friday, you’re helping us get city teens who might not otherwise have access to nature out on adventures like hiking, biking and of course, paddling. It’s a great way to share your love of the outdoors while having a great time in the process.”