CANTON— Another weekend of paddling fun lies ahead with the 63rd annual Canton Canoe Weekend scheduled for May 2-4.

John Henry Rushton founded his boatworks in Canton in 1875 along the banks of the Grasse River. Canoe Weekend events began in 1962 in his honor, and has grown to include up to 300 participants in more recent years.

This year’s Canoe Weekend activities will begin May 2 with the Rushton Tour, a 4.5-mile one-way downstream paddle from Pyrites to Taylor Park. Participants can also launch at Taylor Park and return after paddling upstream. Launch is any time between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Modern Rushton races will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 3, with one, four, and eight-mile recreational events taking place in a number of divisions.

From 12:30 until 2:30 p.m., the 14 and 12-mile Pro International C-1 World Championship and C-1/K-1 Amateur Races will take place.

There will also be a chicken barbecue at Taylor Park Saturday afternoon from 12:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. or until sold out.

Saturday’s last races will take place from 3:30 until 4:30 p.m., with the 2-mile Rushton Relay, an event for family and friends.

The final races of Canoe Weekend will take place Sunday, May 4 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., featuring the Pro C-2, C-2 and K-2 amateur, and K-1 Special classes.

A full schedule of events and more information can be found online at https://www.cantoncanoeweekend.org/race-information

The event is open to paddlers of many skill levels, including  recreational and casual paddlers.

Any non-motorized boat, canoe, kayak or stand-up paddle board is eligible to participate.

Taylor Park features shoreline water access as well as an accessible boat launch for those with mobility impairments.