Raft race a wonderful fund raiser for the Truckee River Foundation

The ninth annual Reno River Festival is proud to announce the return of the Charity Raft Race, Friday, June 15 at 3 p.m. The race, which hits the rapids at the Truckee River Whitewater park for the first time since 2007 this year, is a fundraiser for the Truckee River Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to impacting the Truckee River by providing environmental, educational, access, safety and athlete development programs. Cost is $1,000 per team and includes up to six people. Space is available on a first come, first served basis.

Reno River Fest Charity Raft Race

The Charity Raft Race is the kick off for the annual Reno River Festival, one of the region’s largest and most successful outdoor festivals. All Charity Raft Race teams receive one boat with spots for six paddlers (minimum of four required). A professional guide is provided to each raft and all competitors receive a Reno River Festival Charity Raft Race T-shirt, a commemorative photo of the team on the water, a post-race party with catering by Dish Café, complimentary beer or wine and live entertainment. All race participants must check in at West Street Plaza at Wingfield Park by 2:15 p.m. on Friday and will be shuttled to Crissie Caughlin Park for the start of the race. Prizes are awarded to the top three teams based on time and costumes are encouraged – and rewarded.

The funds raised at the Charity Raft Race are used, in part, to host the Truckee River Foundation’s annual “Stay Afloat Safety Fair,” which provides free river safety classes including helmets and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) to local youth in the community each summer. Since its inception in 2006, more than 1,000 children have received instruction and PFDs to help create a safer environment on the Truckee River and surrounding waterways. This year’s event takes place Saturday, July 14.

“We are very happy to be partnering with the Reno River Festival to bring the Charity Raft Race back after its four- year hiatus,” said Debbie Leonard, Truckee River Foundation board member. “For years, the Race was key in our fundraising activities and was instrumental in our ability to host the ‘Stay Afloat Safety Fair’ each summer. Thanks to the funds raised during this year’s event we’ll be able to help even more kids in the community learn about the Truckee River and how to recreate safely in and around it.”

For more details about the 9th annual Reno River Festival or the Run Amuck, visit www.RenoRiverFestival.com or call 775-784-9400 x 119.