Canoe race to mark Nishnabotna water trail grand opening

AVOCA — The Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the West Nishnabotna River Water Trail will be Saturday, June 19.  Rain date will be June 26.

The ribbon cutting will be at 9 a.m. at Avoca, Iowa Edgington Memorial Park.

The Nishnabotna Water Trail was the work of Pottawattamie County Tourism Committee. This tourism committee consists of representatives from Pottawattamie County Supervisors, WIDA, Pottawattamie County Conser-vation, NRCS, Council Bluffs Visitor Bureau, and Macedonia Historical Society.

Iowa West Foundation Grant funding was received.

New access signs will guide people to the Nishnabotna River. Access signs will be posted along the main access highways and roads.  Signs will be put up on the river bridges so persons on the West Nishnabotna River will know where they are. New West Nishnabotna River Trail brochures have been printed with a map of the river trail.

River accesses are located at Edgington Memorial Park east of Avoca, Hancock’s Botna Bend Park, Oakland’s Chautauqua City Park, Carson City Park, and Olde Town Park near Macedonia.

The River Race will begin at Edgington Memorial Park in Avoca and end at Olde Town Park near Macedonia.  First, Second, and Third place trophies will be awarded to winners of the canoe and kayak race in men and women individual and team categories.  Race entrants will receive a T-shirt when the race is completed.  Three divisions in the canoe or kayak race will be awarded first, second, and third place trophies.

Check in time for the canoe and kayak race is 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at Avoca Edgington Park.

An open class River Poker Run will also be held.  It will start at Oakland and end in Carson.  The Poker Run will begin at noon. Entrants need to check in at Oakland Chautauqua City Park between 10:30 and 12:00 noon.

Pre-registering for the River Race and Poker Run is available on websites  www.rubberduckoutfitters.com or carsonia.com.  You may also enter at Avoca the day of the race.

Grand Prize drawing for a canoe will be held at Carson after the races. Multiple prize drawings for race entrants will be held at Carson.