The Island Paddle Fest will be held at the Columbus Riverwalk in downtown Columbus Saturday.
The event — which takes place in the Tombigbee River — includes kayak, canoe and paddle board divisions. Participants will paddle approximately 5.5 miles around The Island.
Proceeds from the race will benefit Lowndes County Imagination Library, which focuses on pre-K literacy by providing free books to children under the age of 5.
It’s an important first step in child literacy, said Ashley Gressett, who is helping to organize Saturday’s event and coordinates LCIL.
Kayak racers can begin loading their kayaks at 8 a.m. for a 9 a.m. race. The paddle board race will follow at 10 a.m. and the canoe race at 11 a.m.
The first place winners in each category will win an engraved wooden paddle, while second and third place winners will receive medals.
Registration is $40 which includes a T-shirt, Gressett said. About 25 people have registered as of Thursday morning, but she expects more to register the day of.
The event also includes crafts for children, and information about Imagination Library will be available for parents and kids, Gressett said. Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle will have a booth on water safety.
A $3,500 grant from Visit Columbus is helping fund the event, which has drawn participants from as far away as Georgia.
Racers must bring their own boats. Life jackets are required.
To register, go to islandpaddlefest.org.
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