Gunnison River Fest coming this weekend

Reservoirs expected to fill

by Jade Gale

The Gunnison River Festival will be held this weekend from Thursday to Sunday at various locations on the river in the Gunnison Valley. The festival is “an annual river event that embraces river and stream activities, education, and the celebration of the Gunnison River Basin,” says Frank Kugel, manager for the Upper Gunnison River District, a primary sponsor of the events.
Friday’s festival events on the Gunnison River include the Bridge-to-Bridge Fly Fishing Tournament starting at North Bridge, the Community Float and the Friday Night Fish Fry at the Whitewater Park west of Gunnison.
The Taylor River Showdown Raft/Kayak Race takes place Saturday morning. The main festival event is on Saturday afternoon, when the celebration will be down at the Whitewater Park with a variety of events and sponsor booths.
For more information go to http://www.gunnisonriverfestival.com.
May was an exceptional month for water supplies around the state. The Gunnison River has seen significant improvement in the summer and fall water supply forecast. Projected inflows to Blue Mesa Reservoir for the important April-through-July runoff period rose from 65 percent on May 1 to 84 percent on June 1. Blue Mesa Reservoir is now projected to fill in the next few weeks. The recent rise will hopefully ease late summer drought concerns for irrigators and recreationists.

2015 Gunnison River Festival Schedule

The festival is Thursday through Sunday, June 11-14 and is presented by the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District.
Ride your bicycle to Thursday, Friday or Saturday events and receive a ticket to win one of two town bikes being given away in the Double Shot Cyclery, Bike or Bust!
All competitions may change or be eliminated depending on excessive water flows. Pre-register for events at Gunnison Community Center, 200 E. Spencer, Gunnison.
For more info contact Joellen, Sage Production and Marketing (970) 275-3516 or check out www.gunnisonriverfestival.com.

Thursday, June 11
Gunnison County Libraries, Gunnison River Festival & Trout Unlimited present Jonathan Waterman, 7 p.m. at the
 Gunnison Library, 307 N. Wisconsin. Jonathan’s slideshow will be about the Colorado River and our own Watershed. This is a free event, open to the public.

Friday, June 12
Trout Unlimited Bridge to Bridge Fly Fishing Tournament, North Bridge. Registration opens at 3:30, float 4 to 6 p.m. at the Whitewater Park
Tickle Belly Friday Night Fish Fry and Community Float, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Gunnison County Whitewater Park. Community Float/Paddle on the Gunnison River to the Whitewater Park and enjoy an authentic fish fry. Live acoustic music. Open to the public. $10 per dinner.
Foamy Boater X! Buy a boat and watch the action unfold.

Saturday, June 13
WSCU Taylor River Showdown Raft/Kayak Race, 9 a.m. Taylor River, Todd’s Slot to South Bank, Registration opens at 8 a.m. Entry $35 per raft, $15 per kayak. (ACA day memberships available.) Cash and gear prizes.
Kids Zone Educational and Interactive Area, noon to 3 p.m. at the Whitewater Park. Free for kids. Fun activities, face-painting and food! Spallone Construction Kids Foamy Boat Race at 1 p.m.
Waggin’ Tails Canine Big Air Competition, noon at Mergelmen Pond, $5 per pup.
Paddleboard Adventure Co. SUP Cross at 1 p.m. $15 per participant. Demos by donation at Mergelmen Pond.
Gunnison County Inflatable Whitewater Rodeo, 2 p.m. at feature 3 of the Whitewater Park. Inflatables will be judged on combo of surf style, surf duration and crowd applause. Helmets are required and will be available on-site. $25 per boat. Cash and gear prizes.
McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group Freestyle Kayak Comp at 3 p.m. Novice and advanced. $15 per boat. Cash and gear prizes.
Gunnison Country Shopper Hooligan Comp at 4 p.m. Pull out those costumes! Boats will be inspected prior to launch. PFDs are required for all participants. Prizes.
World Tour 2015 Reel Paddling Film Festival, Saturday, June 13 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Jorgensen Complex, 501 E. Tomichi Ave. Tickets: $10. Raffle, awards, beer. Participants get free entry.

Sunday, June 14
Immersion Research Oh Be Joyful Race at 3 p.m. Crested Butte. Online registration only.