First Suwannee River Paddling Festival Planned for April 5-7, 2013
Join Paddle Florida, Inc., the Florida Park Service, regional businesses and organizations in bringing the first Suwannee River Paddling Festival to the Suwannee River! Scheduled for April 5-7, 2013, the event will start at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground and travel to the Suwannee River State Park. (Exhibitor/Sponsor Application)
The Suwannee River Paddling Festival will attract eco-tourists to the Suwannee River Valley, promote paddling in the region, educate citizens about Florida’s water, and raise funds for springs restoration. The event is modeled after the successful Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival held in Fort Myers each fall and will create a spring event to build ecotourism in the North Florida area.
The Festival will open Friday at 3 p.m. with a benefit concert featuring Florida performers who have participated in Paddle Florida events. Supported trip options on Saturday and Sunday will offer participants the opportunity to paddle the winding Suwannee River along 20-miles, passing several springs along the way.
Saturday, April 6: 20 miles. Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park to Suwannee River State Park (Sat. night campsite)
Sunday, April 7: 12 miles. Shuttle to Madison Blue Springs on the neighboring Withlacoochee River, then paddle down the Withlacoochee back to Suwannee River State Park.
Boat and paddler shuttles provided.
Saturday evening’s program at Suwannee River State Park will include a Water Expo showcasing conservation efforts, educational speakers, and local outdoor recreation vendors.
Benefit Concert* Friday, 3-10 p.m.
Line-up: Tammerlin, Tom Shed, Magda Hiller, Grant Peeples.
Tickets
Music lovers can enjoy the benefit concert for $25 (advance ticket purchased online) or $30 (purchased at the door). Paddlers may camp for $20 per night and purchase a $50 meal plan which will cover meals for the weekend (Note: register by March 22, 2013). No charge for day paddlers, either on Saturday or Sunday, unless you need the shuttle service. Complete shuttle service for paddler, boat, and gear is $20/person. Weekend paid participants will receive an event t-shirt, boat sticker, reusable water bottle, plus useful area trail maps and other local welcoming offers.
Package deals also are available: $95 for one, or $170 for two.
(includes 2 nights camping/meals/concert) Optional shuttle service: $20.
*Proceeds from the concert will benefit Paddle Florida and the Florida Springs Institute.
Register online with Ocoos.com and pay online using PayPal:
1. Register Online. We use the online service at Ocoos.com to help with Paddle Florida registrations. Click on this Festival Link to go to the online registration form at www.ocoos.com. To pay online through PayPal, come back to this page and use the PayPal buttons below.
2. Pay online with PayPal. After you register, select from the options in the drop-down menu. Then click the "Add to Cart" button to go to the Paddle Florida secure PayPal site. At PayPal, click "Continue Shopping" to return to this page where you can select additional choices.
It's safe and easy. You don't need a PayPal account.
3. If you would rather pay by check, download and print the Festival Registration Form and send it with the full amount, including your choices for concert, camping, meal plan, and shuttle service, to Paddle Florida (Suwannee Festival), PO Box 5953, Gainesville, FL 32627.
Exhibitors/Sponsors
To participate in the festival as an exhibitor or sponsor (or both!), go here to download the application form
and, while your at it, get the W-9 form needed to keep accounts straight with the IRS. All the information you'll need (we hope) is right there on the forms. Please email your completed forms to bill@paddleflorida.org. Thanks for your participation and support! |
