Join the 7th annual Beaver Creek Flotilla, presented by FirstBank, on Saturday, May 18, 2024, 9:30 a.m., putting in behind Powell High School.
What if it rains? There is no rain date, says Charlie Austin, president of the Beaver Creek Kayak Club. “Conditions are being constantly monitored and in the absence of severe storms/lightning or flooding, flotilla will proceed rain or shine. With community partners and volunteer staffing there is no opportunity for a ‘make-up’ day. As of now, all plans are a go!”
What about parking? There isn’t any at the put-in ramp. Charlie says: “Gates will open at 7 a.m. and the drive into the launch site will close around 9 a.m! Please do not show up at 8 a.m. and expect to just drive right in. …
“When you arrive, follow traffic and markings to the unload zone. We will have volunteers there to assist you with unloading your boats. They will carry your boat to the staging area while you move your car to the upper parking lot at the sports complex and high school. After you park, walk down to float HQ by walking to the right of the baseball field. Please don’t walk down the road or on the road shoulder.
“Once in float HQ, check in at the registration tent, located streamside. Swag bags will be picked up here and All participants must sign a waiver.
“As you check in, you will be given a set of matching wristbands. One wristband goes on your wrist and the other goes somewhere on your boat … anywhere you can attach it … please put it on your boat before the float!
How does the takeout work? “The color wristbands you receive will be used to locate your boats when they are returned to the bus lane in the front of Powell High School (new pickup location this year). At the takeout (Roy Arthur Stormwater Park on Harrell Road), we will have volunteers on the dock to assist. Please listen and follow their directions as they wrangle the boats to take out. Volunteers will help with your boats to the shuttle trailers which will take your boat back to the Powell High School bus lane (front of the school). As you exit the creek, keep your belongings with you, including life jacket and paddle.
“Refreshments will be provided at the takeout by our friends from Weigel’s & Food City.
“There will be five shuttle buses to transfer participants back to Event Parking. Boats will be returned to the bus lane in the front of Powell high School where they will be unloaded and sorted by the colors on the wristbands. After your return to Event Parking, simply follow the school parking lot around the side of the building to the front of the school, no need to exit onto Brickyard Road, simply follow the parking lot around. Locate your yak by your colored wrist band, load up and exit onto Emory Rd.
“Please follow the directions of law enforcement officers around the roads and TWRA officers on the stream.
“This is a fun, family-friendly event and safety is an absolute priority. Life jackets are required and the volunteers will not allow you on the water without one. Ages 12 and younger must wear their PFD for the entire float.
What’s this about an after party? We encourage everyone to join us for the Flotilla After Party at Creekside Good Food – Good Vibes, 6729 Malone Creek Dr., Knoxville. Multiple food / drink trucks, live music and much, much more!
More details and information: floatthebeaver.com
All of us have a story and I want to tell yours! Send them to susan@knoxtntoday.com.