A paddle race on the Savannah River and a free concert will highlight the fourth edition of .
The all-day event at Riverside Park in Evans will kick off with the paddle race at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 22.
Musical entertainment will begin with a DJ at 4 p.m., and live bands will play into the evening. The Mason Jars, which recently released a new album that was recorded in Aiken, will headline the concert.
Food trucks with menus ranging from burgers to Creole cuisine, along with beer vendors, also will be on hand.
Event organizer Andy Colbert, co-owner of Outdoor Augusta in Riverside Park, believes the park is a hidden gem. He hopes the festival will give people an opportunity to see everything it has to offer.
“I want the event to be a celebration of the park,” he says. “It’s a cool place. A lot of people that come to the park don’t know that it has access to the river.”
The paddle race, which requires registration for entry and costs $30 per person, follows the 6.2-mile loop around German Island.
Trophies will be awarded to winners in different categories such as single kayaks, tandem kayaks, canoes and standup paddleboards.
In addition, the race will include a division for rental vessels, which are available at Outdoor Augusta. The overall winner will receive a trophy as well.
“The race is all-encompassing for anything that is paddle-oriented,” Colbert says.
If You Go:
What: Betty’s Bash Paddle Race & Music Festival
When: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday, June 22
Where: Riverside Park
How Much: $30 to race; event and concert are free
More Info: outdooraugusta.com