Category Archives: Events

Bike Trail, Events, Rafting, safety

Thousands expected at Rafting Gone Wild

Officials said they expect more than 5,000 people to show up for the Rafting Gone Wild event on the American River.

For the first time, alcohol has been banned, and a huge police presence is expected to crack down on partygoers.

The non-licensed event begins at 11 a.m.

The alcohol ban was implemented to avoid fights and problems among rafters.
Officials said anyone who brings beer or other liquor will get a citation, be removed from the event and not allowed on the river or the shoreline.

Fire Department Capt. Bryan Thomson said dozens of drunken people need to be rescued from the water every year.

More at KCRA.com >>>
Bike Trail, Events, Rafting, safety

Sacramento County slaps drinking ban on Saturday’s ‘Rafting Gone Wild’

Sacramento County officials have decided to ban alcohol on a portion of the American River this Saturday to prevent any risk to the public from the upcoming “Rafting Gone Wild” event.

In 2011, a sandbar known as Gilligan’s Island, was a main gathering point for drunken revelers during Rafting Gone Wild. Last year, more than 3,000 people showed up at the event, with 23 people arrested.

Witnesses described deputies and rangers having difficulty keeping up with the large and chaotic crowd. Fights erupted on the riverbanks and rocks were thrown at rafters, they said.

County parks officials predict that the same unsafe circumstances could occur this Saturday if alcohol was allowed. To forestall any destruction of property or injury, County Director of Parks Jeff Leatherman issued the alcohol restriction today.

“This is based on our experience last year,” said Leatherman. “Last year, when people became more and more intoxicated, they began fighting with each other and fighting with law enforcement.”

Leatherman said that the decision to ban was based on viewing social media where the event is posted and speaking with law enforcement. It appeared that this year’s Rafting Gone Wild would also be alcohol-fueled.

The ban was issued for the American River from Hazel Avenue to Watt Avenue.

More at SacBee.com >>>

 

Bike Trail, Events, Rafting, safety, Video

Law Enforcement Gears Up For Fourth of July On River

 

Sacramento County Park Rangers and the Sacramento County Marine Unit cruised the lower American River today to get ready for a crowded July Fourth weekend.

Flows are nearly triple what they were a month ago and they want to prepare for swifter currents and hidden hazards that might affect rescues.  They also need to warn rafters and swimmers about danger areas.

The biggest concern is still illegal alcohol use on the river, which is banned on the four-day holiday. Alcohol can contribute to violent fights.

“With deadly weapons, cobbles, sticks, whatever they can get their hands on,” said Ranger Randy Lewis.

But there are more families on the river since the holiday alcohol ban took effect several years ago. Jose Vasquez makes sure his son Gabriel uses on at Discovery Park where he knows about the history of drownings.

More at Fox40.com >>>
Bike Trail, Events, Rafting, Water

Holiday rate raises fees at parks this weekend

Entrance fees to Sacramento County regional parks will increase during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

The fee increases will apply Thursday through Sunday, and are intended to help offset the higher costs to patrol and maintain the park system during holiday weekends, according to a county news release.

Vehicle entrance fees at all county parks will increase to $8 for single vehicles, and to $13 for oversized vehicles and vehicles with trailers. The increase will not affect annual pass holders.

In addition to the higher entrance fees, the county’s customary restriction on alcohol on the American River Parkway will be enforced Thursday through Sunday. Consumption of alcohol and possession of open containers will be prohibited on the shore and the river within the parkway between Watt and Hazel avenues. Violations of the restriction may result in a citation or arrest, and parks officials warn that the restriction will be strictly enforced.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Bike Trail, Events, Rafting, safety, Water, Wildlife

Public meetings on two Sacramento levee projects next week

The public is invited to meetings next week to learn about two new levee repair projects along the American River.

The first meeting will be held Tuesday concerning a plan by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build a seepage cutoff wall 3,300 feet long in the levee on the north bank of the American River, just east of the Natomas East Main Drainage Canal, near Del Paso Road. The meeting is from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the American River Flood Control District office, 165 Commerce Circle in Sacramento.

The second project involves widening, realigning and strengthening more than 1,300 feet of levee along the north bank of the American River near William Pond Park. This meeting is Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the American River Parkway Foundation office, 5700 Arden Way, in Carmichael.

More at Sacbee.com >>>

Events, Water

Hydroplane racing returns to Folsom Lake after 46 years

Billy Schumacher knew it was time to retire back in 1976. Fourteen of his friends in the sport of hydroplane boat racing had died on the water, so he figured it was only a matter of time before he would meet the same fate.

Now, 46 years after he was the last driver to win a hydroplane race at Folsom Lake, Schumacher returns to the lake today through Sunday as the owner of the U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing jet boat that will race as part of the inaugural BigWake Weekend.

“I’m tickled pink to get the chance to return to Folsom Lake as a boat owner on the same waters where I won in 1967,” said Schumacher, 70, a three-time national champion. “I can’t think of a better place to start the season in the United States. The weather is great, the water is high, and it’s one of the best possible places for spectators to see the entire course.

“A lot of places we race, fans can only see portions of the course. At Folsom Lake, fans should be able to see the entire race. That’s exciting.”

More at SacBee.com >>>
Events, Rafting, safety, Water

Life jackets recommended for holiday fun in the water

Memorial Day weekend traditionally marks the beginning of the summer recreation season, drawing boaters and swimmers to Sacramento region waterways.

With that in mind, public safety officials are urging people recreating in area rivers, lakes and streams to wear life jackets. Even though the river flow is low this year, they stress that strong currents exist below the surface and the water is cold.

The American River Parkway Foundation announced this week that is taking on the responsibility of purchasing and supplying life vests for Kids Don’t Float, a program that lends life vests to children during the summer months at seven access points along the American River.

The Kids Don’t Float program was initiated in 2003 by Sacramento County and its Emergency Medical Services Agency. Since then, the program has provided more than 2,000 new life vests annually to stock river access stations. Due to ongoing budget cuts, however, the county recently discontinued funding for the program, leading the American River Parkway Foundation to assume responsibility.

The foundation, a nonprofit agency, manages volunteer and donor programs to help preserve and maintain the 23-mile stretch of the parkway from the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers to the Nimbus Fish Hatchery.

The life vest stations will be re-supplied and inspected twice a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day by the Drowning and Accident Rescue Team, and Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. Life jacket stations include two sites at Discovery Park, Ancil Hoffman Park, Howe Avenue river access, Watt Avenue river access, River Bend Park and the Sunrise river access. Life jackets should be returned to the appropriate stations at the end of the day so other people can use them. Each station will offer ten to 15 life vests in various sizes.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Bike Trail, Events, Rafting, safety

Holiday weekend has a parkway booze ban

Sacramento County officials remind the public not to consume alcohol on the American River Parkway this Memorial Day weekend.

Alcohol consumption will be illegal on the parkway Saturday through Monday. County officials promise to enforce the ordinance that allows the county to temporarily ban alcohol consumption. Violators may be cited or arrested.

Open containers will not be allowed anywhere on the parkway between Watt and Hazel avenues.

More at SacBee.com >>>

 

Bike Trail, Events, Water, Wildlife

‘A Day on the Farm’ at Soil Born Farms

On rich farmland along the American River and tucked next to Hagan Park is Soil Born Farms, the site of the fifth annual “Day on the Farm.” The May 19 event is billed as an opportunity to “Learn, Eat and Celebrate!” and will feature a fresh farm stand, cooking classes, farms tours, farm animals, plant sale, nature walks, live music, workshops, food, and arts and crafts.

At the event, participants can experience Soil Born Farms, which produces certified organic produce for local farm stands, restaurants and grocery stores. Soil Born Farms Urban Agriculture and Education Project was started in 2000 to connect urbanites with healthy, local food. Soil Born Farms also offers experiential farm, gardening and cooking education, and provides healthy food access programs for the community in partnership with schools and other agencies.

More at SacramentoPress.com >>>