OURAY COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) – Each year, people come together to compete in races down the Uncompahgre River, and usually joining them are those who don’t want to race, but float and spectate. This year, non-racers can get picked up with the festival’s new shuttle service, and competitors will also get a lift back from the finish line.

Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership (UWP), a nonprofit, is holding a free event on June 28 at Rollans Park in Ridgway.

“RiverFest is a great day for anyone wanting to float the [Uncompahgre] to come out and enjoy some drinks, music and other fun before or after their float,” said RiverFest Coordinator Tanya Ishikawa. “For our 17th annual event, a new company and RiverFest sponsor, Best Slope Adventure Company, will also provide a van ride and haul boats and SUPs on its trailer back from Dennis Weaver Park a few times throughout the day.”

UWP has also arranged free rides with TelluRides between Ridgway and Montrose. They will provide rides for event attendees from Montrose and further north; people can leave their car in Montrose and get picked up for the festival, then dropped off after.

“We are hoping that people take advantage of our TelluRides service so they don’t have to find a parking space on festival day in Ridgway, and they can save some carbon emissions by not driving separately,” said Ishikawa. “Plus, we think this is a great service for those who can’t drive or who want to have a drink or two at the festival and return safely to Montrose.”

The festival consists of the Junk of the Unc race, where contestants race in a vessel composed of repurposed or recycled materials. Some of the prizes in this year’s competition are a $200 guided raft trip or equipment rental from Best Slope Adventure Company and a $500 boat rental from Ridgway State Park with the help of Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Courtesy of UWP
Courtesy of UWP

There are also other prizes for the winners of the inflatable boat, paddleboard, and hard-shell races.

The festival will bring local brews, a silent auction, games, giveaways, adoptable pets from Second Change Humane Society, demo gear from 4Corners River Sports and free compost from Delta Compost.

Both floating spectators and competitors will need to check in on race day at the UWP info booth. More information can be found on its website or by emailing [email protected].