Team Razorback takes the top trophy at the first annual Rivertown Raft Race

 

story and photos by Joel Rafkin
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A small group of people gathered on the banks of the Poteau River at Arkoma Park and then migrated to Harry E. Kelley Park to watch the start and finish of the first Rivertown Raft Race on Saturday.

The rules were straightforward: Any homemade manpowered non-marine certified vessel was eligible for the nearly 4-mile race. Fourteen teams entered and all completed the course in one to four hours, said Jeff Riggs, vice president of community development and public relations for the Fort Smith Jaycees.

The only casualty in the race was to a "real" boat that was supposed to assist and follow the competitors throughout the course. It sank upon launch after the owner failed to install the hull plug. Other boats and watercraft including vessels from the Sebastian County Sheriff Department and Fort Smith Fire Department shadowed the racers for safety purposes.

The event raised money for the Fort Smith Boy’s Shelter through both sponsorships and the $50 team entry fee. Thomas Gage, president of Metroplex Power and Utility, offered helicopter rides from the field adjacent to Riverfront Park for $35 per person. A portion of that fee was donated to the Jaycees, Riggs said. The band The Bannister Brothers provided entertainment and Art’s BBQ had a stand selling food at Harry E. Kelley Park.

Team Razorback paddled under the Garrison Avenue Bridge to finish first and take home a trophy and $500. Second place went to Team Dakkar while third place went to the team from Ronald Ragon Realty. Both received trophies. Trophies were also presented for the most unique raft (Team Dakkar) and the Martha Washington Award for the first all female team to cross the finish line. This award was a "sure thing" for Team Frog, the only all female team.

Riggs said he hopes the event will grow in popularity in the coming years. The plan is to continue this tradition the last weekend in July and pick a different charitable organization to benefit from the event each year, he added. Riggs said the last time a river raft race was held in Fort Smith was more than 20 years ago and it ran from the Garrison Avenue Bridge to Fort Smith Park.