Warmer weather has finally arrived and a summer staple is on the horizon.
Kids of the Community’s 12th annual Paddlefest event is now accepting sponsors ahead of its June 21 return. The 13K kayak float and race event was founded in memory of Elizabeth Hoover, who passed away in 2009. Hoover was a local educator and avid outdoorswoman with a love for nature and her children.
According to organizers, the event is a way to keep Hoover’s memory alive by showcasing and enjoying the waterways of Warren County.
Money generated from Paddlefest goes to Kids of the Community, which is a nonprofit dedicated to connecting with children who need a sense of belonging by teaching them the basics of life and giving them the skills they need to succeed in life. During the summer, daily activities are hosted both on and off the property to ensure the children are kept active and they are provided meals free of charge. The children enrolled in the program go rock climbing, hiking, rappelling, kayaking, fishing, camping and enjoy many other activities through Kids of the Community.
There are multiple ways to support the event and its cause, including registering for the race/float at a fee of $25 per person, purchasing prize tickets and committing to a sponsorship.
There are four levels of sponsorships with the lowest level costing $100 in monetary backing or the equivalent in prize value. Sponsors will receive varying rewards depending on their level of contribution, but all are recognized on social media and have their name or business name on the back of this year’s T-shirts.
In-person registration for the 13K will begin at 9 a.m. on the day of the event, but can be done online now by going to https://www.kidsofthecommunity.com/register. The race itself begins at 10 a.m. and the float is just behind it starting at 10:30 a.m. Paddlefest’s activities will begin intake at Pepper Branch Park and end at the VFW.
If you would like to take part in Paddlefest but do not own a kayak, rentals are available from Smooth Rapids and more information on the process and fees can be discussed by calling (931) 452-9251.
