BVA Rotary Club gears up for 6th annual regatta
The fundraising event will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the boat launch area of Cedar Creek Park
By the MVI
The Belle Vernon Area Rotary Club is ready for its annual Regatta on the Yough this weekend.
Set for Sunday, the sixth annual event is an expanded and improved version of last year’s event. The main event sponsor is AllDry Services of Rostraver/Fay-West. The regatta, slated for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. will be held at the boat launch area of Cedar Creek Park in Rostraver Township, where D.J. Jerry Jericho will “rock the Yough” with music of all genres.
The Rotary is encouraging participants to “get outrageous” for the event’s popular Paddle Parade where water craft (canoe, kayak, SUP or inflatable) is decorated to the best of one’s imagination and compete for prizes up to $300.
Registration is free this year. Printable Paddle Parade forms and a link for online registration will be available at EventBrite (until Thursday) and the BVA Rotary Regatta on the Yough Facebook page.
On site registration will also available for last-minute entries. Paddlers 18 years of age and younger must have a parent sign their waiver form.
Also returning this year is the Kids Zone designed for kids ages 12 and younger, where Rotary members will offer many free activities and contests including a Rain Gutter Ducky Regatta and Squirt the Duck Game.
Merrie the Magical Clown will be providing face painting and balloon artistry for the children between noon and 3 p.m. and a new bicycle will be given away in a free raffle.
In addition to a 700 Duckie Derby Race, local businesses will sponsor super-sized rubber ducks in their own Great Company Duck Race. Last year’s Regatta featured more than 50 decorated company ducks, creating a spectacular display of fun and creativity. Local Rotary clubs will compete for Best Rotary Blue Duck.
A Ducky Diner tent will be serving hamburgers and hotdogs and more, presented by Rotarian Jim Wessel and the West Meeting Center. Beedles Ice Cream will be on site as well.
The Collinsburg VFD Water Rescue Team will be in the water providing safety, demonstrations and river rides to Regatta goers.
Regatta 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.
“This event has grown and evolved into something amazing” said Keefer. “We have been able to do so much for our communities by way of Regatta proceeds.”
The club funded several scholarships totaling $21,000 this year to Belle Vernon and Frazier students. The club has supported after-school food programs, veterans’ projects, first responder equipment, local libraries, beautification efforts, families in need and more.
In addition to All Dry Services, many local businesses serve as major sponsors as well, including 1st Mate sponsors C. Harper Auto, Valley 1st Federal Credit Union, PNC Bank, cfsbank, and Coen Oil. Second Mate sponsors are Fayette Legacy Group of Janney Montgomery Scott, BeeGraphix, Perryopolis Auto Auction, Somerset Trust and AGI.
The Regatta Committee will monitor river and weather conditions leading up to the event.
