This weekend, the city of Salida hosts its annual festival that celebrates the Arkansas River. The 77th FIBArk festival kicks off Thursday afternoon and goes through Sunday evening. There are spectator events, land and water races, family activities, and live music planned for every day of the event.
Lindsay Sutton-Stephens, president of the FIBArk board, said the event has something for kids, boaters, bikers, runners, foodies – everyone.
“FIBArk is one of the most fun events in Colorado, and if I can say so myself, it is the premier summer event in all of Colorado,” Sutton-Stephens said.
FIBArk, a partial acronym for First in Boating the Arkansas, focuses primarily on whitewater boating. The festival touts having the longest whitewater race in the United States, from Buena Vista to Salida. There are also some out-of-the-box competitions, including a stand-up paddleboard boxing batch, a make-your-own-boat boat race, and a raft rodeo.
Sutton-Stephens said the raft rodeo, MC’d by members of the local women's roller derby, and scored by the crowd's cheers, is one of the rowdier events.
“They really clown it up,” Sutton-Stephens said. “It truly is a rodeo. So think about a horse, but then think about a bunch of dirtbag raft guides doing it with a couple of paddles.”
“Dirtbag” is a term of endearment in the whitewater boating community.
The event raises money for the FIBArk Community Paddling Program which works to provide safety training for white water activities and raises awareness about river safety.
“A lot of people don't understand, they think the festival is just one big party, but the fact is, the festival is a fundraiser,” Sutton-Stephens said.
She said proceeds from the festival have created white water safety classes for residents and provided school-age children in the Lower Arkansas Valley free safety equipment like personal floatation devices.
The event is mostly free, however Friday and Saturday night’s concerts require a $15 admission fee. All concerts are free for those under the age of 18 and over the age of 65.
