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Ohio River Paddlefest
August 5 - August 6
Schmidt Recreation Complex
$20 – $75
Ohio River Paddlefest returns to the Ohio River for its 21st year on Saturday, August 6.
Ohio River Paddlefest participants can sign up for the traditional 9-mile paddle or the 4.5-mile Paddlefest MINI, which was added in 2021.
Dreamed up by friends who wanted to paddle together, the first Ohio River Paddlefest took place in 2001 with 275 paddlers. It has since grown to become the nation’s largest paddling celebration, attracting some 2,000 paddlers for a float down the Ohio River on the first Saturday in August. The paddle is bookended by a Friday night pre-party and post-paddle festival on Saturday. The post-party paddle features beer, music and food.
Outdoors for All Expo:
Friday night’s pre-party, the Outdoors for All Expo, is free and open to the public. A celebration of all things outdoors, it features exhibits and hands-on demos from local parks, outdoor outfitters, adventure experts and environmentally minded organizations, plus live music, local beer and food trucks. Held at Schmidt Recreation Complex, the site of Saturday’s Paddlefest launch, the Expo runs from 4-9:30 p.m. on August 5. Organizations interested in exhibiting can apply on the event website.
Paddlefest:
On Saturday, both paddling routes start at Schmidt Recreation Complex, 2944 Humbert Ave. in the East End. The 4.5-mile paddle finishes at the Public Landing in Downtown Cincinnati, while the 9-mile paddle continues to Gilday Recreation Complex, 3540 Southside Ave. in Riverside. Participants can use their own boats, or they can rent a kayak or canoe with advance registration. Every year rental boats sell out. Those who travel to Gilday can enjoy the post-paddle Finish Line Festival with music, food trucks and local beer.
Registration:
Registration for the paddle is now open. Early bird pricing (available through April 30) for the 9-mile paddle is $50 for adults; $25 for youth (17 and under); the 4.5-mile paddle is $45 for adults; $20 for youth. Full pricing details are available on the Paddlefest website.
About Adventure Crew:
Adventure Crew, a nonprofit that connects city teens in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky with nature and each other through engaging outdoor adventures, organizes and benefits from Paddlefest.
For more information, visit www.ohioriverpaddlefest.org
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