More than 200 people entered the waters of the Blackwater River Friday night, making this year's event the largest ever.
Friday evening kicked off the weekend of fun and paddling on Franklin County’s two rivers. Seventy-four people had pre-registered prior to the start of the Blackwater Blackout, but as 6:00pm rolled around the numbers swelled to over 200, making this year’s Blackwater Blackout the largest that has ever been held.
As the evening sun faded below the horizon paddlers checked their night gear, with some attaching glow sticks to their canoes, while others checked their battery powered lights.
Having some form of lighting is mandatory in order to keep boats from crashing into each other in the darkness.
One by one the canoes and kayaks were slipped into the cool river which offered some relief from the humid June evening. Then as the boats floated down the river the glimmer of glow sticks and strobe lights faded into the night. The Blackwater Blackout was underway.
The Blackwater Blackout was sponsored by Allan Mullins Pre-owned Automotive.
Take a look at the photo gallery that we posted for this sports news event: Set 1
