The 2nd Annual Bailey Fest was awesome! Thanks so much all who came out to make Bailey Fest into a huge summer party! I haven't had that much fun since... last Bailey Fest! We probably had around 200 folks at the campground.
We got a great fest camp spot 2/3 of the way down the bailey paddle in. The camp spot was a beautiful meadow right on the river, away from the road, away from houses... so we could have all the fun we wanted and not bother anyone.
Flows were a fun filled 420 cfs all weekend which was mellow enough for first timers and good clean fun for veterans.
The weather was great with a full moon and some meteors friday night and a beautiful lightning storm that threatened rain, but never got us wet on saturday night.
To take the party up a notch we had a huge tarp movie screen and a sound system that provided great entertainment all weekend.
Big thanks to Bart Berger for letting us camp on his land! The camp spot is key to taking Bailey Fest to the next level. Our efforts to clean the camp up earned us an invite back for next year. Know that we are very lucky to have Bart's support. He told me that he is very choosy in allowing these events on to his land, and he will only consider it with the right organizers and the right group. He knows that Bailey kayakers are seasoned river folks who value the resource and will work to protect it.
Huge thanks to the sponsors: AW, Jackson Kayak, Confluence Kayaks, Whitewater Tube Co. and Oscar Blues Brewing. The fantastic support of the sponsors makes the cost of bailey fest 1/2 of what it would be otherwise. The sponsors are great folks with great companies that are a great asset to our boating community. Thanks again guys! You rule!
Bailey Fest was the premier of the Bailey Fest Boatercross Bonanza Foamie-cross race. 30 folks entered, and the victor walked away with a Jackson Villain Creekboat. Kevin from Durango won the villain, and he seemed to be just about the happiest guy at the fest after that. My prototype whitewater course was built in one night, mostly after midnight, and under the supervision of a 12 pack of beer. I've got plans to make a new foamie course thats bigger and badder next year... stay tuned!
The Pyrahnna crew showed up and brought cold beer and some fresh videos, which provided great entertainment. Thanks guys! Hope to see you next year.
I'd also like to thank the tons of folks who helped out with the event. You know who you are. I couldn't have done it without you. The help with set up, break down, clean up, the BBQ, the sound system, the videos and pictures, the foamie race, massage table, camp registration, waivers, stickers, t-shirts was a huge help. Thank you all.
I also want to throw out a HUGE thanks to my good buddy Steve who let me borrow his truck for Bailey Fest. You rule buddy!
So many people offered help, ideas, and support over the weekend. Its great to see the community come together. I'll do my best to get a wider group from the boating community involved for next year.
Be mindful that I have no contracts or formal agreements with Denver Water or Bart Berger, both of who are critical to making this event happen. Both of these deals are gentlemen's agreements that were sealed over a handshake. My mission is to keep these going, but I want the community to know that this isn't set in stone. Please post your thanks to Bart Berger for allowing us to camp on his land, and I will send him the link for him to review. Also, please send your thanks to Dave Bennett at Denver Water to let him know you appreciate the event. David.Bennett@denverwater.org
Looking forward to next year... when its time again to...
Turn on the Tunnel!
We got a great fest camp spot 2/3 of the way down the bailey paddle in. The camp spot was a beautiful meadow right on the river, away from the road, away from houses... so we could have all the fun we wanted and not bother anyone.
Flows were a fun filled 420 cfs all weekend which was mellow enough for first timers and good clean fun for veterans.
The weather was great with a full moon and some meteors friday night and a beautiful lightning storm that threatened rain, but never got us wet on saturday night.
To take the party up a notch we had a huge tarp movie screen and a sound system that provided great entertainment all weekend.
Big thanks to Bart Berger for letting us camp on his land! The camp spot is key to taking Bailey Fest to the next level. Our efforts to clean the camp up earned us an invite back for next year. Know that we are very lucky to have Bart's support. He told me that he is very choosy in allowing these events on to his land, and he will only consider it with the right organizers and the right group. He knows that Bailey kayakers are seasoned river folks who value the resource and will work to protect it.
Huge thanks to the sponsors: AW, Jackson Kayak, Confluence Kayaks, Whitewater Tube Co. and Oscar Blues Brewing. The fantastic support of the sponsors makes the cost of bailey fest 1/2 of what it would be otherwise. The sponsors are great folks with great companies that are a great asset to our boating community. Thanks again guys! You rule!
Bailey Fest was the premier of the Bailey Fest Boatercross Bonanza Foamie-cross race. 30 folks entered, and the victor walked away with a Jackson Villain Creekboat. Kevin from Durango won the villain, and he seemed to be just about the happiest guy at the fest after that. My prototype whitewater course was built in one night, mostly after midnight, and under the supervision of a 12 pack of beer. I've got plans to make a new foamie course thats bigger and badder next year... stay tuned!
The Pyrahnna crew showed up and brought cold beer and some fresh videos, which provided great entertainment. Thanks guys! Hope to see you next year.
I'd also like to thank the tons of folks who helped out with the event. You know who you are. I couldn't have done it without you. The help with set up, break down, clean up, the BBQ, the sound system, the videos and pictures, the foamie race, massage table, camp registration, waivers, stickers, t-shirts was a huge help. Thank you all.
I also want to throw out a HUGE thanks to my good buddy Steve who let me borrow his truck for Bailey Fest. You rule buddy!
So many people offered help, ideas, and support over the weekend. Its great to see the community come together. I'll do my best to get a wider group from the boating community involved for next year.
Be mindful that I have no contracts or formal agreements with Denver Water or Bart Berger, both of who are critical to making this event happen. Both of these deals are gentlemen's agreements that were sealed over a handshake. My mission is to keep these going, but I want the community to know that this isn't set in stone. Please post your thanks to Bart Berger for allowing us to camp on his land, and I will send him the link for him to review. Also, please send your thanks to Dave Bennett at Denver Water to let him know you appreciate the event. David.Bennett@denverwater.org
Looking forward to next year... when its time again to...
Turn on the Tunnel!