Outdoors for All Expo
Friday, July 31, 4– 9:30 p.m.

Schmidt Recreation Complex, 2944 Humbert Ave.
Features outdoor outfitters, park reps, and conservation groups, with hands-on demos, live music, raffles, food trucks, and MadTree beer.

The Main Event
Saturday, Aug. 1, 7– 8:30 a.m.

Schmidt Recreation Complex, 2944 Humbert Ave.

Paddlers begin with races at 7 a.m., finishing at either the Public Landing in Downtown or Gilday Riverside Park on the West Side, where an after-party runs until 2 p.m.

Registration is $55 for adults; $25 for youth (17 and under); the 4.5-mile paddle is $50 for adults; $20 for youth.

More at ohioriverpaddlefest.org/schedule.

The Ohio River is at the center of history, life, and commerce in Cincinnati. Once a year, that heritage is celebrated during Paddlefest, the nation’s largest paddling event.

At this year’s gathering on Saturday, Aug. 1, organizers are also setting out to earn a Guinness World Records title for the “Largest Paddle Craft Party,” as Ohio River Paddlefest marks its 25th anniversary,

“We’re thrilled to be celebrating a milestone anniversary of this hallmark local event,” said Miriam Wise, director of support and engagement for Adventure Crew. “Paddlefest brings the community together for a weekend of camaraderie and appreciation for the outdoors. This year, we hope that community will help us reach another milestone: Our biggest and best Paddlefest yet.”

Local nonprofit Adventure Crew hosts Paddlefest weekend, which kicks off with the Outdoors for All Expo. A free community event celebrating all things outdoors, the Expo takes place on Friday, July 31 at the Schmidt Recreation Complex.

The Outdoors for All Expo features more than 70 exhibitors, including local parks, outdoor outfitters, adventure experts and environmentally minded organizations. This year’s event promises a fantastic music lineup, with Buffalo Wabs & the Price Hill Hustle, Jake Speed & the Freddies, and Ma Crow & Co. taking the stage. Hands-on demos, raffles, MadTree beer and food trucks round out the list of activities designed to engage attendees of all ages.

For Saturday morning’s Paddlefest, participants can use their own boats, or they can rent them with advance registration. Those who’d like to rent a boat should sign up early: Rental boats, especially two-person boats, are limited.

Paddlefest brings nearly 2,000 paddlers in kayaks, canoes and SUPs to the Ohio River each August. Participants can choose between two distances to paddle on the Ohio while it’s closed to motorized traffic, making the event accessible to paddlers of all skill levels. The 9-mile paddle ends with a Finish Line Festival – featuring music, food trucks and beer –at Gilday Recreation Complex in Riverside. For a shorter adventure, the 4.5-mile paddle finishes at the Public Landing in Downtown Cincinnati.

“Support of Paddlefest weekend means more local kids will get access to activities like hiking, biking, skiing and paddling at no cost to them,” Wise said.

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