BY PAUL MITCHELLNorth Country This Week

CANTON – The 62nd annual Canton Canoe Weekend, featuring the infamous Rushton Canoe Races, will be held May 3-5 at Taylor Park.

Canton Canoe Weekend is one of the premier canoe race weekends in New York State, the website states. The 12 and 14-mile courses are among the most challenging on the marathon circuit. In addition, there are 1, 4 and 8-mile race events appropriate for the local recreational racer, and a 2-mile team relay race for recreational paddlers,” the website states.

All races take place on the Grasse and Little Rivers with the start and finish at Taylor Park.

Schedule of Events

Friday - May 3

5 to 6 p.m.: The Rushton Tour: a 4.5-mile one-way downstream recreational paddle from Pyrites to Taylor Park, or you may choose to launch at Taylor Park and paddle upstream and return to Taylor Park. Launch anytime between 5 and 6 p.m.

Saturday - May 4

9:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Modern Rushton Races: Bring your canoe or kayak and join the morning recreational races of 1-, 4- or 8-miles. A ‘Rushton Division’ in the 1- and 4-mile races for those paddling Rushton type canoes, either homebuilt or produced by various commercial manufacturers, is sponsored by Slipstream Watercraft. Special awards will be presented for the ‘Rushton Division’. The 'Wounded Warriors Division' in the 1- and 4-mile races is sponsored by Mountain Wounded Warriors Sled Hockey Team.​

11:30 a.m.: Recreational Races Awards Ceremony​​

12:30 to 2:30 p.m.: C-1 Pro International World Championship & C-1/K-1 Amateur Races: 

14- and 12-miles on the Grasse and Little Rivers.​

12:30 to 4 p.m.: or until sold out: GT's chicken barbecue - The chicken dinner includes 1/2 chicken, salt potatoes, pasta salad, homemade roll, brownie or cookie and a drink all for $14. A half chicken will be available as well for $9. Pre-orders by Sunday, April 28 are appreciated to help GT's plan, pre-order cutoff will be Thursday, May 2 at noon. Please have cash ready at pick-up time on Saturday (exact change preferred), or you may pay by Venmo. Sorry, no credit cards accepted at Taylor Park.​

3 p.m.: C-1/K-1 Races Awards Ceremony​

3:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Joe Randi/Rushton Relay (Family & Friends, High School, College Challenge & Open Divisions): come out to the park and have fun on the water with family and friends for this 2-mile relay race.​

4:30 p.m.: Canton Canoe Weekend Raffle Drawing - you need not be present to win!

Ticket donation: $10 each or 6 for $50. Ticket outlets: Canton Town Historian's Office, Grasse River Outfitters - Canton, GT's Family Restaurant in Russell, GT's at The Meadows in Canton, and the Red Pine Cone in South Colton.

First Prize: Slipstream Watercraft's 'Wee Lassie" canoe, Aquabound Stingray kayak paddle and a Stohlquist OSFA life jacket. The 'Wee Lassie' is a J.H. Rushton design fabricated in modern materials. It is a 10'6" long Kevlar and carbon hybrid, vacuum infused laminate with wood trim in natural color. Package value of over $2,600. 

'Wee Lassie' canoe donated by Slipstream Watercraft. Kayak paddle and life jacket donated by Tim Knight with support from ADK Lakes and Trails Outfitters, Raquette River Outfitters, and St. Regis Canoe Outfitters.

Second Prize: GRB ultra-light bent shaft canoe paddle, custom built in winner's choice of colors. Value: $250; Canoe Paddle donated by GRB Newman Designs.

Third Prize: Handmade Clothes Tree and Charcuterie Board. Value: $250; cClothes Tree and Charcuterie Board donated by Charlie Bruno.

Sunday - May 5

10 a.m. to noon: C-2 Pro, C-2/K-2 Amateur, K-1 Special: 14- and 12-mile races on the Grasse and Little Rivers. 

12:45 p.m.: C-2/K-2 Races Awards Ceremony

Race waivers can be signed the day of the races or in advance by visiting https://www.cantoncanoeweekend.org/_files/ugd/026337_43d7ea2c168c4bf2a7aabfc42ba1e2ba.pdf

For more information, visit https://www.cantoncanoeweekend.org/