Democracy For the Heart of America

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Ready...Set...Paddle! Two Events Promote Clean Water Education, Restoration and Recreation Race for the Rivers Festival August 25, 2007 Noon-6PM Be on hand at Frontier Park when the paddlers arrive Saturday afternoon. Watch as the Clean Water Challenge racers report the results of their water quality monitoring and get up to date information from the leader boards. Meet the racers and get an up-close look at what it takes to be a competitive paddler. On hand will be adventure and outdoor sports vendors and environmental educational displays and activities. Enjoy live bands, hands-on art and environmental activities and educational displays while hanging out as the racers fly across the finish line at the park. These events are produced by the Greenway Network. For more information on the Greenway Network, please visit www.greenwaynetwork.com Get Involved! For more information on the festival and to register online visit www.racefortherivers.org. Greenway Network, a grassroots based organization that strives to conserve natural resources and the area's watershed, is sponsoring two canoe races on the Missouri River Saturday and Sunday, August 25 & 26! The Race for the Rivers is a staged canoe and kayak race covering 65 miles of the scenic Missouri River from Washington, MO to the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers 12 miles north of St. Louis. This two-day race is for the serious paddler with strong endurance and a desire to compete. The first day's race ends in Frontier Park at the Race for the Rivers Festival. Day two of the race includes a sprint to Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. This race is sanctioned by the United States Canoe Association. The Clean Water Challenge is for the experienced canoe or kayak paddler who has a desire to learn more about the rivers and how to care for them. This one-day race takes place on Saturday, August 25. Paddlers will complete for speed and accuracy as they travel 20 miles of the Missouri River from Weldon Spring to Frontier Park. Throughout the journey there will tasks including water quality monitoring paddlers will need to perform along the way. This race will be run with the assistance of the Missouri Department of Conservation. The Race for the Rivers Festival will be held at Frontier Park, on the St. Charles waterfront. The Festival is the finish for the first day of the Race for the Rivers and the Clean Water Challenge portages here on Saturday too. The Festival hours are noon to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday August 25. On Sunday the Race for the Rivers will leave from Blanchette Landing on Olive Street in St Charles as they sprint to the finish at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. Meet the racers, learn about competitive paddling and keep track of the race leaders on the leader board updated throughout the day in the park. Adventure and outdoor sports vendors, live bands, environmental educational displays and activities are all part of the Festival. Sincerely, Charlene M. Waggoner, Ph.D. Vice President Greenway Network www.racefortherivers.org