[Ken Vanatta]

The lingering winter weather delayed the Arkansas runoff. Today, though, it looks to have begun. Due to the delay, there may be a reckoning just in time for the greatest FIBArk ever. 57 years and it keeps getting better. The upper hole has been rebuilt, pinched, and steepened this year. The flows during FIBArk , June 16-19, may see the feature rise up to attention grabbing levels. Or, perhaps the lower hole may favor the show. Either way, two holes are better than one! Get ready for the big event. The action, both at the Freestyle comps in Salida and at the Boater-X on Pine Creek, is surely going to blow everyone's minds. Calling all Rafters ... get your game on, too. Check the line up of events at www.fibark.com . HOOLIGANs ... oh-my-gosh ... it keeps getting wilder everyyear! Who can beat last year's floating monster chopper wheeling out through the hole? BRING 'EM ALL ON, YOU WILD AND CRAZY CATS! Be the show!! Speaking of shows,... the music, the party, and the action in the brand new park scene this year is absolutely going to exhaust your smiles. The new stage and amphitheatre are awesome. Again, read about all the bands at www.fibark.com. SKATEBOARDERS... the pool and the street comps are dialed in. Get ready to jam for the crowds. Plus, there will be great instructional sessions to get in on, too. EVERYBODY BRING YOUR CRUISERS! Check the schedule of crits. BOTTOM LINE: ONE MONTH AND COUNTING. ***BIG WATER. BIG MUSIC. BIG PARTY. BIG FUN! *** You name it and it's happening at FIBArk. The beer will be flowing, the food is tasty, the crowd is always groovy. All the pros will be here, even the Downriver Nationals are happening here this year. FIBArk's got it all! BE THERE! BRING YOUR CAMERA!

 

[Ken Vanatta]

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[Mr. Coffee]

Right on Ken! The Ark is going to be surging FIBark weekend! I can't wait to see those downriver boater's hitting Cottonwood at 4,000! Freestyle, slalom, downriver, hooligan races, New Belgium beer, great bands and gigantic corn dogs! FibArk...it's what being a boater is all about.

 

[Whisper at Stars]

Ah, FIBArk... Seriously, if you're a kayaker, rafter, music lover, drinker, skater, or just a party machine, you need to check this festival out. And it's got events and games all weekend for your kids too. Salida is a great place to visit anyhow, but all the FREE (yes FREE) live music, world class whitewater competitions (I hear they have a class V Pine Creek Race this year too!), skateboard competitions, bicycle madness everywhere you turn, and just general good vibes from all the Salidans you meet, it's worth the short drive from anywhere in Colorado.

While all the newer festivals are flooded with huge corporate sponsor influence this one remains a product of local dedication and support from actual boaters and community members, not some jerks behind a desk trying to sell you things. Sure, they have sponsors, but those sponsors have been hand-picked to reflect the values of the Arkansas River boating community, not the other way around.

I've been more impressed each consecutive year of this festival, and I expect that this one will be the biggest and best yet. Go on down to Salida (June 16th-19th) and bring your boat, your dog, your bike, your beer goggles, your friends, and your family. It'll be a weekend of sun, water, beer, music, and mayhem for sure...

 

[rasdoggy]

Counting the days...

 

[Ken Vanatta]

Cruiser Crit this Saturday

BTW: a Cruiser Crit is happening in downtown Saida this Saturday (5/21) at 2pm. There will be a huge after party at Benson's Tavern with $1 Ne Belgium beer, lots of swag give aways, and sign-up for volunteers to help at the FIBArk Festival June 16-19. *** Please cme enjoy this fun Fund Raising and Volunteer signing party *** Bring your bike and costumes. Also, bring the boat and jump into both play holes to get practiced up for the big event. THANKS FOR EVERYONE'S SUPPORT! WE WOULD SURE APPRECIATE MORE HELP IF PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO SIGN UP. WE MAKE IT WORH YOUR WHILE. CHEERS!

 

[Ken Vanatta]

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