New Dates for the Reno River Festival - The 2012 Reno River Festival will be held on June 15 through June 17. The previous events were all in May, but organizers are hoping for a better chance at good weather by moving it ahead a month. The 9th annual Reno River Festival will feature all the same popular events as before, along with new ones designed for doggie festival goers and their owners - Splash Dogs and the Biggest Little Dog Jog. I'll have more details about the 2012 Reno River Festival soon.
The Reno River Festival is one the first big events of the season in Reno and it's free to attend. The 2011 event will be the 8th Annual Reno River Festival. Dates are May 6 through 8, 2011. See some of what goes on at my Reno River Festival photo gallery. Also check out my Run Amuck pictures for a look at the mucky fun to be had during this part of the Reno River Festival.
Reno River Festival Events
The Reno River Festival brings land-based activities to town to complement the white water competitions at the Truckee River Whitewater Park. As always, there will be a large number of vendors offering a variety of goods and services, including food, drink, clothing, and the latest in outdoor products. Several bands will be performing at the Wingfield Park Amphitheater. Throughout downtown Reno, bars, nightclubs, and casinos will all be offering refreshments and hospitality to Reno River Festival revelers.
Events Schedule - Find out what's happening and when with the 2011 Reno River Festival Schedule of Events. Beer fans will enjoy the Biggest Little Homebrew Competition, a new event for those who make their own suds.
Whitewater Kayaking Competition - This is the classic Reno River Festival event and where it all began. Both pro and amateur kayakers will compete for prizes and glory in the Truckee River rapids. Look for freestyle and boatercross competitions and free whitewater clinics.
Run Amuck - Get a partner, pick your costumes, and enter this popular Reno River Festival event. Run Amuck is 2.5 mile, two person relay run along the Truckee River from downtown Reno to Idlewild Park and back. The course includes a crawl through the infamous mud pit and numerous other obstacles. New mystery obstacles appear every year, so you never know what you're going to get. Non-muckers, be sure to come see this event - watching is almost as much fun as flopping in the mud yourself. Run Amuck 2011 will be on Saturday, May 7, at 2 p.m. A costume contest precedes the race at 12:30 p.m. because some getups don't survive the rigors of mucking.
Stand Up Paddleboard - In stand up paddleboard, racers shoot down the Truckee River in timed runs, with fastest times determining the winners. Picture standing on a surfboard-like platform and maneuvering through the rapids with a long paddle and you get the idea.
Humans in Motion Short Video Contest - To enter Humans in Motion, produce a three to five minute video of some sort of sports skills involving at least one human being in non-motorized motion. Use your imagination to come up with something unique, wild, funny, and relevant according to the contest rules. Entries will be accepted through Friday, April 15. First prize is $1000 bucks, so fire up those video cameras. If this sounds like fun, download an official entry form and fire up your video camera.
Biggest Little Homebrew Challenge - This is a new competition at the 2011 Reno River Festival. Homebrewers are invited to bring their best stuff and compete for cash prizes for the best beers. Registration is open until April 29, but only 50 entries will be accepted. If you want to brew up some fun, get started by downloading the rules and entry form.Free Kick-Off Party and Concert
The 2011 Reno River Festival Kick-Off Party will start at 8 p.m. on Friday night, May 6, with a free concert at Wingfield Park featuring English Beat. Those wanting to keep going can attend the after-party at Brew Brothers in the Eldorado Hotel Casino starting at 10:30 p.m.
Other entertainment during the Reno River Festival will include Music in the Park at the Wingfield Park Amphitheater, a beer garden and food booths, whitewater clinics with pro paddlers, Yoga in the Park, an Outdoor Expo, and more.Truckee River Whitewater Park
The Truckee River Whitewater Park was an immediate hit when it opened in 2004. It created something of a moving park in the heart of the city, providing a place for people to relax, stroll by the water along the Riverwalk, play in the water on hot days, float along on tubes, and kayak the class II - III rapids. It was a significant milestone in the redevelopment of downtown Reno.It's a little confusing, but the Truckee River Whitewater Park is a component of downtown Reno's Wingfield Park. The Whitewater Park was built along and within the Truckee River flowing through Wingfield Park. Sometimes the terms are used interchangeably, or put together as the Truckee River Whitewater Park at Wingfield.
Reno River Festival Videos and Pictures
I've produced a few short Reno River Festival videos for your viewing pleasure. If you are new to the Reno River Festival, these and my pictures will give you a look at what goes on during this fun event. You can also enjoy my still pictures of action around the Reno River Festival, including muckers participating in the Run Amuck race.Keep paddling, there's more about the Reno River Festival.
