The annual Island Paddle Fest is scheduled for Saturday at the Riverwalk downtown.
Participants can take on the 5.5-mile loop around The Island through the Tombigbee River in kayaks, canoes or paddle boards. The race begins at 8 a.m., with check-in at 7.
Registration fees for all competitive divisions — including men’s and women’s kayak, racing kayak, canoe, paddle board and tandem paddle — is $40. The entry fee for the non-competitive fun paddle category is $20. T-shirts will be available for $10 on race day.
All proceeds go toward the Lowndes County Imagination Library, which provides one free book per month to children under the age of 5 within the county.
“It only takes $25 to give a child books every month for a year and $125 to give that child books for five years,” said Lindsey Beck, coordinator for Lowndes County Imagination Library. “The Island Paddle Fest is a great fundraiser for us. Really we’re all about trying to make sure we can get as many books into the hands of as many children in Lowndes County as possible.”
Participants must bring their own canoe, kayak or paddle board with a life jacket to compete in the race. Children under 18 must have an adult sign a waiver for them to ride alone.
Prizes will be awarded to the overall winner, as well as the top three finishers in each category.
Participants can pre-register online or make donations to Imagination Library at islandpaddlefest.com. Pre-registration deadline is June 1, but race day registration will begin at 7 a.m.
All registered participants are invited to a VIP party the night before the race for gumbo and conversation. There, Imagination Library will raffle numerous prizes, including an overnight stay in Bear Creek, Alabama.
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