Float your way down the Flint River for what is guaranteed to be a one-of-a-kind, fun filled afternoon. The Flint River Corridor Alliance (FRCA) hosts the second annual Flint River Flotilla Saturday, August 8. People are encouraged to enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the river in a flotation device of their choosing. Inner tubes, kayaks, rafts and canoes are all welcome. The cost is $10 per person with children under 12 admitted for free, and all proceeds benefit the FRCA.
The Flotilla route will begin at Tenacity Brewing, 119 N. Grand Traverse Street, and end at Mott Park Golf Course. On the day of the event, participants should drop their vehicles off at the Mott Park Golf Course on Sunset Drive (east of Ballenger Highway near McLaren Hospital). A shuttle will transport people and their flotation devices from the golf course to the registration and starting location at Tenacity Brewing. Participants with larger flotation devices, such as a canoe or kayak, should drop them off at the launch site before proceeding to Mott Park Golf Course to drop off their vehicle.
The Flotilla starts at 1 pm with registration beginning at noon. In addition, participants can pre-register online.
FRCA Director, Janet Van De Winkle, is confident that the Flotilla will have an even larger turnout than last year. “We had over 100 participants last year and hope to see even more people on the river for this year’s event,” she says. It is expected that the participation level will be doubled this year.
The Flint River Corridor Alliance sees the event as a way to emphasize the resources the Flint River has to offer. Vanessa Ferguson, FRCA Development Coordinator, wants people to see the positive aspects of the river. “It’s important to change the perception that many people have,” she says. “It can be used as a great recreational resource in our community,” Vanessa continues.
Although the Flotilla is not a competitive event, awards will be given out at Mott Park immediately following. The awards will include “Highest Energy,” “Spirit,” and “Most Colorful”. A new award this year, “Captain of Industry,” will be passed out to the business that has the most participants.
Vanessa sees the Flint River Flotilla as a fun opportunity for the community. “This is something unique that is right in our backyard,” she explains. “A lot of people will go up north for similar events and don’t realize that they can have just as much fun right at home.”
The event will occur rain or shine. Severe weather may delay start time.
The FRCA is a community-based organization that develops and sustains projects in the Flint River Corridor. For additional information about the FRCA and the annual Flotilla event, call 810.241.6966.
