07-15-2013 Celebration Marks 30 Years For The East Race Waterway

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CITY OF SOUTH BEND PETE Bu nGtEG, MAYOR Office of the Mayor CONTACT: Kara Kelly, (574) 235 -5853 kkelly@southbendin.gov FOR RELEASE: Monday, July 15, 2013 CELEBRATION MARKS 30 YEARS FOR THE EAST RACE WATERWAY Mayor Pete Buttigieg and the South Bend Parks and Recreation will celebrate 30 years of the East Race Waterway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 20 at Seitz Park and Howard Park. HealthWorks! Kids Museum will host a climbing wall challenge, Hummer Hub -Bub and other games. At noon, Mayor Buttigieg will accompany children who have been served by Memorial's Children Hospital to the celebration. They will arrive in a wagon pulled by Express Clydesdales, horses that have participated in many nationally recognized events, including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Tournament of Roses Parade, and in 2011 escorted Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge on their visit to Calgary, Canada. A brief ceremony will be held at noon to commemorate the East Race Waterway, the oldest man- made whitewater course in North America. "We are fortunate to have this spectacular course in the heart of South Bend," says Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who will also ride a raft down the East Race on Saturday. "The East Race Waterway provides opportunities to host world -class competitors while also offering a wonderful recreational venue for all our residents and visitors to the City. I encourage everybody to ride the rapids." The man -made concrete channel produces a whitewater course with a force of about 500 cubic feet per second. The resulting rapids are suitable both for experienced kayakers and first -time rafters. On four occasions, the flow has been increased to allow for training by United States Olympians. More than 300,000 people have made their way down the course. Rafters pay $5 per person, per ride. Kayakers are charged $15 a day, but they must provide their own equipment. Only cash is accepted. 13fM