Ridgway River Fest

The Ridgway RiverFest is a family-friendly celebration of the Uncompahgre River, our watershed and river recreation with all-age river races, live music, local food and drink, kids’ activities, watershed educational and cultural programs. The highlight of the day is the infamous "Junk of the Unc" race in which boaters maneuver their craft, constructed from scrap materials not intended for river travel, through whitewater rapids and others’ junk, trying to keep it all intact until the finish line.

RiverFest is produced by the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership, a Ouray County nonprofit watershed group dedicated to helping protect the economic, natural, and scenic values of the Upper Uncompahgre River Watershed.

Schedule:

6am: Trail Town Race registration

7am: Trail Town Race by San Juan Mountain Runners

11am: Early bird Buy-It-Now Sale at Silent Auction

11:30am: Race registration at UWP Information booth

12:00pm: Festival opens, including Silent Auction bidding and  Booths with giveaways, interactive learning, and more!

Food and Dessert by Marchio's Grill, El Agave Azul, and Snowbirds Craft Shaved Ice

Beer by Colorado Boy Pub and Brewery and Margaritas by The Liquor Store!

12pm: Introduction of Emcee extraordinaire Colin Sullivan

12:15pm: Watershed talk on stage

12:30pm: Boat/SUP Race registration ends. Safety briefing next to river.

12:45pm: Races start on river

1:00pm-1:45pm: Ute History presentation by Dr. Andrew Gulliford

2pm: Junk of the Unc competition on river. Prizes sponsored by RIGS Fly Shop and Guide Service, Cora Fitness/Iron and Oxygen, Mountain Fever Shirts and Gifts

2:30pm: Rubber Ducky Race or Hunt registration closes (weather dependent)

2:30pm: Live music by The Cross-Eyed Possum on stage co-sponsored by Ouray County Performing Arts Guild

3pm: Rubber Ducky Hunt or Race, grand prize from MTN Lodge and Million Roadhouse, additional prizes from Ute History Museum

3:30pm: First Silent Auction Section closes, Band break

3:45pm: Announcement of winners of the Boat/SUP Races, Junk of the Unc, Rubber Ducky Hunt/Race, and Uncompahgre River Classic peak flow contest

4:00pm: Live music by The Cross-Eyed Possum on stage co-sponsored by OCPAG

4:30pm: Second Silent Auction wave closes

5pm: Festival closes and sales end for drinks, food, silent auction, etc.