OGE NightSprints Friday and Saturday
OKLAHOMA CITY (September 17, 2021) – After going virtual in 2020, the 2021 Oklahoma Regatta Festival will be held October 1-3 in the Boathouse District. Hosted by RIVERSPORT, the family-friendly festival features rowing, canoe/kayak and dragon boat racing, the OKC Thrive Outside Expo, outdoor adventures, OGE NightSprints and fireworks on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Spectators will see top collegiate, masters and junior rowing teams from across the country, high-performance athletes training at the USRowing OKC National High-Performance Center, and corporate rowing and dragon boating teams going head-to-head on the Oklahoma River. Corporate Rafting League Championship will be held Saturday morning.
“This is a great opportunity for families to get outdoors, enjoy some great racing and RIVERSPORT adventures, and then stay for the fireworks,” said Mike Knopp, executive director.
The family festival will feature the free OKC Thrive Outside Kayak League Championships (9-11 am) and Expo (11 am to 3 pm) on Saturday, with a focus on youth. Partners in the OKC Thrive Outside Expo include Boy Scouts, OKC Parks and Rec, OK State Parks, Scissortail Park, and REI. Partners will share hands-on information about fishing, knot-tying, campfire cooking, kayaking and more!
RIVERSPORT will also offer rafting and adventures, great food from Big Water Grill, a beer and wine garden to enjoy during racing, and vendors with official event t-shirts, rowing gear and other items for purchase. The family festival will be Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
RIVERSPORT Corporate Rowing and Dragon Boat League Championships happen during 500m OGE NightSprints on Friday night from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The Oklahoma City University Head of the Oklahoma includes 2.5 mile head racing 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Paddlefest 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and 500m OGE NightSprint racing 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Saturday evening. Events include collegiate, masters and junior rowing as well as kayak and dragon boat racing. OCU Head of the Oklahoma racing concludes Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Fireworks will begin at the conclusion of racing on both Friday and Saturday evenings.
RIVERSPORT Adventures, including RIVERSPORT Rapids for whitewater rafting and tubing, Surf OKC, Ski OKC, and the Velosolutions Pump Track, will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Admission is free and parking is $10; all proceeds benefit RIVERSPORT Foundation’s nonprofit initiatives to provide more access to outdoor activities for underserved people in the community.
For more information about the 2021 Oklahoma Regatta Festival, visit https://www.riversportokc.org/events/oklahoma-regatta-festival/, email info@riversportokc.org or call (405) 552-4040.