CATSKILL, New York – Greene County’s annual Rip Van Winkle's Wacky Raft Race is set to take place on Sunday, August 16, 2009 along a six-mile stretch of the Hudson River from Athens to Catskill. Registration for entries is now open, with encouragement for raft teams to “celebrate the Quadricentennial and sail into history.”
Sponsored by Greene County Tourism, the race benefits Community Action of Greene County Inc. Rafters and spectators alike are asked to bring non-perishable food items on the day of the race to help stock Greene County’s food pantries.
"The Wacky Raft Race promises to provide merriment and fierce competition for all, with proceeds going to a very good cause,” said Daniela Marino, Greene County Tourism Director. “We encourage teams from far and wide to enter and to get working on the wildest, wackiest rafts they can dream up that help celebrate the 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson’s exploration of the Hudson River. We expect this year's race to be the biggest and best ever.”
Businesses, banks, fire and police departments, families and friends, schools, colleges, civic groups, historic societies, churches, outdoor clubs, yacht and sailing clubs and other organizations are all ideal candidates for forming teams, she said.
All rafts must be homemade and self-propelled with poles, oars, paddlewheels, sails or other non-motorized devices. Each raft must have a crew of at least three people, with a parent or legal guardian accompanying minors. The entry fee is $25 per person, with registration required by July 25.
All rafts will be launched at Athens Boat Launch between 8:00-10:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 16. The race starts at Riverfront Park at 11:00 a.m. and travels down the west bank of the river outside of the commercial navigation channel. The finish line is at Dutchmen's Landing at the end of Main Street in Catskill, where there will be food, vendors and live entertainment.
Prizes will be awarded for first ($500), second ($300) and third ($200) places, along with plaques for the "Wackiest," “Most Spirited,” "Most Unique" and “Titanic.”
Last year, more than two dozen rafts participated in the race, which was a revival of an event last staged in the early 1980s. "We're hoping for even more this year," Ms. Marino said.
For a registration form with more details on the rules, regulations and safety requirements for the race, please call 1-800-355-2287. For more fun things to do and see in Greene County, visit www.GreeneTourism.com