This years Pigg River Ramble was held this past weekend and provided three days of paddling fun for all those in attendance. According to CPR and Parks and Recreation officials this years event was the largest that it has ever been.
This years Pigg River Ramble was held this past weekend and provided three days of paddling fun for all those in attendance. According to CPR and Parks and Recreation officials this years event was the largest that it has ever been. A record 125 boat and nearly 200 people kicked off the “Ramble weekend” on Friday night when they paddled their way down the Blackwater River in the dark with only glow sticks and a few tiki torches to light the way. After the trip down Blackwater a number of the floaters returned to Waid Park to their awaiting tents that had been set up earlier that evening.
Saturday morning came early and the staging area began to fill up quickly as canoes and kayaks were unloaded for the days 8 mile trip down the Pigg River. Participation for this years Ramble swelled to 309 people who paddled 219 boats down the sometimes deep, and sometimes shallow Pigg River.
This year was also a year for firsts. Franklin County parks and Recreation, opened the park for primitive camping for the duration of the weekend as an added feature to the Ramble. Several boaters took them up on the invitation to make a full three day weekend out of the event. Theme Boats were also a first this year with some participants dressing in costumes and one participant entered a hand made flat bottom boat that he finished just hours before the start of the race.
Kathy Stephenson, daughter of Morris Stephenson (the man responsible for the revival of the Pigg River Ramble six years ago), took first place in the theme competition by dressing in a white gown with large pig shaped patches sewn to the dress similar to the fashion of the poodle skirt of the 50’s, as well as carrying a pink umbrella emblazoned with the words “Queen of the Pigg”. Stephenson’s kayak was adorned with a stuffed fabric pigs head on the front and a twisted tail on the rear.
The race got under way around 10:30 AM, and by 11:30 AM all boats were in the water and headed down river. Seasoned canoeist and kayakers quickly pulled ahead of the novice and for some the first time floaters, but all paddled their way down the lazy Pigg River with style.
The weekend was finished up on Sunday, with a breakfast float down the Blackwater River. Several boaters braved the remnants of a topical storm to make their way down the river where at the halfway point Butch Wilcox owner of the Hub Restaurant was waiting with breakfast prepared for all those participating in Sundays Breakfast on the Blackwater.
This event increases in size every year thanks to the efforts of Franklin County Parks and Recreation, CPR, as well as the many volunteers who put a lot of hard work making sure the event runs smoothly and safely throughout the weekend. Duncan Ford Chrysler Jeep, who has been the title sponsor for the Pigg River Ramble for many years, also so plays a huge part in the continued success of this event.
A picture is worth a thousand words, so take a look at everything else we have to say:
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