The Unlikely Paddlefest kayaking adventure celebrates 20 years beginning this Friday when paddlers from around the province converge in Likely for the annual festival.
Mark Savard, who started the event in 1991 with a group of friends to coincide with B.C. Rivers Day, said he expects this year’s turnout will be solid.
“The water levels are good, the weather’s been great, and a lot of people have said they want to come out for the 20th anniversary,” he said.
Friday, paddlers will begin arriving in Likely to set up camp and be treated to some live music from some local entertainers at the Likely Pub in the evening.
Saturday, the day begins at 9:30 a.m. with a down-river “anything-that-floats” parade on the Quesnel River, before kayakers will head out for a day of paddling.
Foam Mesh Press, a regae band from Prince George, will be performing Saturday night at the pub.
Sunday morning the Likely seniors will cook breakfast before paddlers again head out on the water. For anyone who stays Monday, paddlers will head out to the Chilco River for a more challenging day trip.
An information booth will be setup on site near the Likely store.
“Even people who aren’t whitewater paddlers come on out and just paddle up the Quesnel River to Cedar Point [campground] and just enjoy all the big fish in the river, the day and all the good times,” Savard said.