Back to the Chattahoochee River Race and Festival Celebrates 10 Years

Paddlers of all ages and skill levels will take to the water, for the 10th Annual Back to the Chattahoochee River Race and Festival on Saturday, June 9.

Racers will begin at Garrard Landing Park on Holcomb Bridge Road and end at Riverside Park in Roswell, where they'll join festival-goers for some free fun, including music and awards.

Organized and presented by the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (UCR), in partnership with the National Park Service, Fulton County and the , the event is organized to celebrate the Chattahoochee and foster a sense of community around the river that serves 3.5 million Georgians and 70 percent of metro Atlantans.

The race begins at 9 a.m. and includes open and recreational categories, various age divisions, solo and tandem canoe divisions, as well as kayak and sea kayak divisions. Paddlers wanting a competitive race will traverse the ten-mile course, while recreational paddlers will take the 8-mile course. Both include exciting Class I-II rapids and conclude at Riverside Park. Timing officials will be provided by Georgia Canoeing Association.

The festival at Riverside Park, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is free and family-friendly. Racers and others will enjoy music from A.J. Ghent, plus face painting, balloon artists and other family-friendly activities, as well as vendors and an array of environmental exhibits.

For more info, visit UCR or call 404-352-9828 and follow the UCR on Twitter (@ucriverkeeper) for updates including additions to the music lineup!

UCR’s mission is to protect and preserve the Chattahoochee River, its lakes and tributaries for the people, fish and wildlife that depend upon it. The Chattahoochee is the most heavily used water resource in Georgia. For more information, visit www.chattahoochee.org.