Plans set for BV Rotary Regatta on the Yough
The third annual event will be held 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 25 at Cedar Creek Park in Rostraver Township.
By the MVI
The Belle Vernon Rotary Club is planning its 2024 Belle Vernon Rotary Regatta on the Yough.
The regatta, slated for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 25, will be held at the boat launch area and activity center of Cedar Creek Park in Rostraver Township.
Organizers said the fourth annual event will be expanded and improved from last year. The main event sponsor is AllDry Services of Rostraver/ FayWest.
A paddle parade, to be held in the river adjacent to the event site, will encourage participants to dress up their water craft (canoe, kayak, SUP or inflatable) to the best of their imagination and compete for prizes, with $300 in cash going to the first-place decorated entry.
Registration for the paddle parade is $15 and includes a T-shirt. Registration is required by Aug. 17 to guarantee a T-shirt.
Printable paddle parade forms are available at www. bvarotary.com, where a link is also available for online registration.
Also returning this year is the Kids Zone, designed for kids age 12 and younger, where Rotary members will offer many free activities and contests including Rain Gutter Regatta and marshmallow golf.
In addition to a 600-duckie derby race, local businesses will sponsor super-sized rubber ducks in their own Great Company Duck Race. This group of ducks will also be judged for best in show.
A Ducky Diner tent will be on site, presented by Rotarian Jim Wessel and the West Meeting Center. There will be music by D.J. Jerry J., raffles, remote boat races and more. The Collinsburg VFD Water Rescue Team will be in the water providing safety and demonstrations.
Event co-chairs Deb Keefer and Tom Yoder and their regatta committee said they are grateful for the enthusiasm for the event and generosity from area businesses to support this major Rotary fundraising effort.
The Club funds several scholarships to Belle Vernon and Frazier school district students, supports food banks, veterans’ projects, beautification efforts, families in need and more. Last year’s proceeds from the Regatta were presented to Belle Vernon Area and Frazier for each school district’s emotional support programs.
In addition to All Dry Services, many local businesses serve as major sponsors as well, including first mate sponsor C. Harper Auto. Second mate sponsors to date are Fayette Legacy Group of Janney Montgomery Scott, cfsbank, Perryopolis Auto Auction, Somerset Trust and Huntington Bank. Sponsorships are still be accepted at all levels and for the Great Company Duck Race.
Visit www.bvarotary.com to see the club’s projects and links to all regatta information, including paddle parade registration, and Great Company Duck Race sponsor information.
For more information, contact Keefer at debkee@comcast. net.
