Celebrate the Cuyahoga: Canalway’s annual River Rally offers tours, boat rides, family fun
Canalway, the non-profit that serves as a catalyst for projects and programs within the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area, invites everyone to Hart Crane Memorial Park on Saturday, Aug. 9 to celebrate the Cuyahoga River at its annual Cuyahoga River Rally
Canalway River RallyThe event will have free tours, boat rides, live music, and family friendly activities for all ages.
“At River Rally, Canalway offers activities to help people experience and connect to the Cuyahoga River, says Canalway executive director Mera Cardenas. “This river is embedded in the history of our city, and its continual renewal is an important part of Cleveland’s future. We want to make sure people know and understand the river’s significance.”
River Rally begins at 10 a.m. with a free yoga class with Hayleigh Robertson from Abide Yoga. Registration is not required. The Kayak cleanup with Trash Fish Eddie Olschansky is sold out, but there is a waiting list.
The festival village opens at 11 a.m. with kids’ crafts, water activities, and other attractions.
Activities include:
- Cuyahoga River Kayak Tours: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (registration required).
- Free boat tours on the Holiday boat. Rides leave every hour starting at 11:30 a.m. Final boat leaves at 4 p.m.
- Walking tours hosted by Cuyahoga County’s Fresh Water Institute.
- Birding Walking tours hosted by the Greater Cleveland Aquarium.
- Free kayak excursions. Kayaks provided at no cost (registration required).
- Free dragon boat lessons provided by the Cleveland Dragon Boat Association.
- Free 1-hour “Where the River Burned” bike tours led by Ohio City Bike Co-op. Bikes are not provided (registration required).
- River-focused improv poetry by Poetry Free Cleveland.
- Nature-focused kids’ craft using recycled materials provided by Upcycle Parts Shop.
- Native fish touch-tank by Cleveland Metroparks Natural Resources.
- Cleveland Dragon Boat Association will give Dragon Boat paddling demonstrations at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.
The River Rally Stage will feature live, local music by:
Kayaking on the Cuyahoga at Canalway's River Rally.
- Moises Borges at 12 p.m.
- Napsack at 1:30 p.m.
- Emergence Ensemble at 2:30 p.m.
- Grab a coffee and something to read by the river with Drama Club Coffee and Books.
- Enjoy a cold one in our beer garden with Jolly Scholar Brewing Company.
- Get a slice of pizza from Sainato’s right next door to River Fest in the Rivergate District.
“This year at River Rally, we’re really working to connect as many people as possible with the Cuyahoga, at whatever level they are comfortable, says Meghan Paynter, Canalway director of communications. “Canalway is so pleased to present all of these opportunities for free with the help of our sponsor Cargill. The Cuyahoga is so uniquely Cleveland, and everyone should be able to take advantage of the lifestyle enhancements it can offer.”