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Hikes, paddles, music, river cleanups all in lineup for Raquette River Awareness Week July 30 to Aug. 6

Posted 7/26/11

More than a dozen events are part of Raquette River Awareness Week July 30 to Aug. 6, including a mile-long Hospice fundraising swim and the annual Higley “Round the Islands” canoe races, …

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Hikes, paddles, music, river cleanups all in lineup for Raquette River Awareness Week July 30 to Aug. 6

Posted

More than a dozen events are part of Raquette River Awareness Week July 30 to Aug. 6, including a mile-long Hospice fundraising swim and the annual Higley “Round the Islands” canoe races, volunteer cleanup sweeps of sections of the river, concerts and presentations.

All of the events, including a flea market and Class V whitewater kayaking, aim to introduce residents and visitors alike to the beauty of the Raquette River and the communities that line its banks.

Scheduled events include:

Saturday July 30

• South Colton Flea Market, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., South Colton Pavilion/Swift Field, Sugar Bush Lane, South Colton. Info: Sue Ames, 262-2936.

• Cycling along the Raquette River with ADK Laurentian Chapter; from Sunday Rock, State Rt. 56, South Colton, River Road and return; about 25 miles, hilly, strenuous; call trip leader John Barron for details and to confirm time, (613) 828-2296.

Sunday, July 31

• Clear Pond Wild Forest Walk with ADK Laurentian Chapter; meet in Potsdam and travel to Clear Pond, Rock Pond and Long Pond in Parishville. Hike is over 7 miles, little elevation gain, moderate; call trip leader David Trithart for details and to confirm time, 265-8117.

• River Sweep, Potsdam to Hewittville, noon, from Fall Island Park, Potsdam; bring your own canoe or kayak, personal floatation device, water and snack; be prepared to paddle Class I and Class II whitewater rapids; one portage. Info: Fred Hanss 265-1670.

• Presentation on the Development of Hydro-Electric Facilities on the Raquette River, 7 p.m., Beach Pavilion, Higley Flow State Park, Cold Brook Drive, South Colton. Presented by local historian Mary Jane Watson. Bring a chair and insect repellent. Info: 262-2880.

Monday, Aug. 1

• Birding on the Raquette River, 7 a.m., from Ives Park, Potsdam. Bring canoe/kayak, personal floatation device, binoculars. This is a flat water paddle with some obstructions. Info: Sheila Cerwonka, 265-1670.

Tuesday, Aug. 2

• Setting Pole Dam Cleanup, 10 a.m., at Setting Pole Dam, Setting Pole Dam Rd. off State Rt. 3, Piercefield. Bring work gloves, grass rake, shovel. Info: Nancy Boeye, 265-1670.

Wednesday, Aug. 3

• River Sweep, Raquette River to Simon Pond, 10 a.m. Start at the Crusher on State Rt. 3 take-out at the Tupper Lake Rod & Gun Club. Bring canoe or kayak, personal flotation device, water, snacks. Info: Mike Prescott, (518) 494-9633.

• Colton Riverside Gazebo Performance, 6:30 p.m., in the rear of the Colton Museum. Info: Laurie Thornton, 262-2810.

Thursday, Aug. 4

• Introduction to Letterboxing, 6:30 p.m., Raquette River Information Center, St. Rt. 56, South Colton. Bring comfortable walking shoes and insect repellent. Info: Marylee Ballou and Angela Ballou, 274-9000.

• Summer Concert Featuring Northbound and The Debt, 5-7 p.m., Massena Springs Park. Info: Michael Gleason, Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce, 769-3525.

Friday, Aug. 5

River Sweep, Raquette River Hamlet of Raymondville to Massena Springs Park, 10 a.m. from Brookfield Renewable Power Canoe Launch, River Rd., Raymondville. Bring canoe/kayak, personal floatation device, water, lunch and snack foods. Be Prepared to paddle Class II and Class III whitewater rapids. Info: Fred Hanss and Mike Prescott, 265-1670.

Saturday, Aug. 6

• Higley Association’s 17th Annual Round the Islands Canoe Race, 9 a.m. registration, Big Rock Boat Launch, Pine Rd., Colton. Info: Ed Fuhr, 262-2433.

• Stone Valley Whitewater Release, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Colton to Brown’s Bridge. This section of the Raquette River features Class IV to Class V whitewater rapids. A high level of kayaking skill is required; inexperienced paddlers should not paddle this section of the Raquette River. Info: American Whitewater, www.americanwhitewater.org.

• Sandstone Quarry Historical Walking Tour with ADK Laurentian Chapter, 10 a.m., Red Sandstone Trailhead, Mill Street, Hannawa Falls. About a mile, easy terrain. Info: Tom Ortmeyer, 265-8219.

• Swim a Mile for Hospice, 8 a.m.-noon, Postwood Park, Hannawa Falls. Benefits Hospice of and Palliative Care of the St. Lawrence Valley. Pre-Registration required: 265-3105, www.swimamileforhospice.org.

The Raquette Rive Blueway Corridor is a partnership between interested citizens, local governments, the business community, chambers of commerce, and economic and community developers, with the goal of developing the tourism infrastructure and the revitalization of communities along the 174 mile long Raquette River.

Raquette River Awareness Week is the signature event to connect people to the river corridor through opportunities for recreation, education and stewardship.

For more information on Raquette River Awareness Week, contact Fred Hanss, Potsdam Planning and Development Office, fhanss@vi.potsdam.ny.us or 265-1670.