Thread: Riverfest @ B&O
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Old 05-29-2019, 08:20 AM   #8
mfdanko99
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Mahoning River Fest-Presented by Friends of the Mahoning
When- Sunday June 2nd
Where-B & O Station 530 Mahoning Ave Youngstown, OH 44502
GPS- 41.10253, -80.65771
Time-River Fest is from 12-5, TCT will be giving canoe/kayak rides 12-4 or until we get tired!!!
I will arrive no later than 10:30 am to set up and help other unload so we can be ready at NOON
Once unloaded I believe we may still park at the old Mr. Anthony's or at the WTA

Calling all members & CANOES to help at the annual Mahoning River Fest presented by Friends of the Mahoning.
This is an opportunity to do what the original member of this club wanted to do. Make the public aware of the Mahoning River and how fun it is to paddle.
TCT is able to give the public a quick glance at paddling a canoe or kayak as well of a quick view of the river. We are to help guide them up stream and back to the B&O dock. We don't need to teach them everything just keep it VERY BASIC and enjoyable so the public might get interested in the sport.

We have a tried and true system that flows like clock work and I don't see any reason to make any major chances.
Hear is what we need-
1) All Canoes/Two Man Kayaks possible with a members who can control the canoe/kayak with people who might not be as experienced.

2) A total of four very easy recreation kayaks for the public to use/Then four kayaks manned by TCT members to Shadow the public kayaks. (total of 8 kayaks)
Example- Jessica will paddle her Wavesport Ethos kayak, she will guide the public who will be paddling my Perception swifty kayak up stream and back. She can offer help and answer any questions.
When shadowing the public in kayaks always go up stream towards west ave dock. If they are unable to paddle up stream then they can float back to the dock.
Any extra kayaks that show up can be used as displays and to make a path to guide people from our tent to the life Jacket station & to the Dock.
ALL BOATS MUST BE UP TO DATE ON TAGS & NUMBERS

3) Members to work our tent & Life Vest Station & Dock- Dock workers will help load and unload boats and keep the waiting public off the dock until there turn. (aka the Jodi Vallecorsa rule) In the early years of this event we had problems with everyone on the dock and she came up with idea to have everyone wait off the dock for safety

4)Any and all extra Life Jackets we may have. All Sizes for kids and adults(Mark your Name in Each Life Vest so it doesn't get lost!!!)

For members who haven't been to this event this is our system.
1-Public comes to our tent, -Must fill out our Waiver Form, -Must receive a ticket from the tent.(The Ticket allows the life vest station and the dock workers and Paddlers know they have signed the waiver form) (Dock worker or paddler can collect the tickets)

2-Go to Life Vest station-Get fitted for a life vest.(If we don't have a life jacket big enough or small enough for people to wear then they are unable to get in to a boat!!!!!)

3-Have the public wait in line by the dock. If possible lets try to see what the public would like to do before they enter the dock. Example a person might be waiting for a kayak but the person behind then is waiting for a canoe ride. A canoe opens up then the canoe rider will go first.

4-Loading Canoe Riders-The Canoeist will have the final say on how many riders they can have in a boat at on time. In past years I have had 1 adult and two small kids as my max. Other might be ok with more or less.

5- Load Kayakers in to kayaks

6-Unload Canoe Riders and Kayakers

7- Have the public return to the Life Vest Station and return life vest.

Please note-we will always need extra members who can sub in and out of stations to give breaks. Just because you might not be at a station to start the day; please stay and help give breaks during the 4 hour event.

Hope to make this year a success like the past years
Mike Danko
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Mahoning River-Home of the Trumbull Canoe Trails 1975-2024 49 years
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