Family fun, free outdoor experiences and anniversary specials on RIVERSPORT Passes will make this family-friends festival one to remember
The Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation will celebrate the Oklahoma Regatta Festival’s 15th anniversary October 4-6 in downtown Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District. The weekend will include racing on the Oklahoma River, the new OKC Thrive Outside Expo, RIVERSPORT Rapids and Adventures, and deals on RIVERSPORT passes throughout the weekend. Food trucks, vendor tents and a beer garden will also be open.
RIVERSPORT Rapids and Adventures will be open Saturday, October 5, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. RIVERSCREAM Zombie Ztag on the Sky Trail will be open 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
New in 2019, families are invited to the free OKC Thrive Outside Expo on Saturday, noon to 4:00 p.m., featuring outdoor fun for the whole family. Partners in the OKC Thrive Outside Expo include Women Who Hike, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, National Park Service, OKC Bike Club, RIVERSPORT OKC’s Stinchcomb Wildlife Experience, Threshold Climbing, Fitness & Yoga and more.
“Thanks to the Outdoor Foundation and the Thrive Outside Grant we are able to provide a free opportunity for kids to get excited about outdoor activities, and hopefully find an activity they’d like to learn more about,” explained executive director Mike Knopp. “It’s also a chance for families to learn about OKC’s Thrive Outside programs and see if they’d like to get involved.”
Spectators will get to see the top collegiate and junior rowing teams from across the country, as well as corporate rowing and dragon boating teams going head-to-head on the Oklahoma River. Elite athletes training at the USRowing National High Performance Center will also race on the river.
The Oklahoma City University Head of the Oklahoma includes 2.5-mile head racing during the day. Events include collegiate, masters and junior rowing as well as kayaking. Racing for this event will be Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Every evening, the OGE Night Sprints bring night racing again to the Oklahoma River. The 500-meter sprints under the lights feature dragon boat races and rowing races for medals and bragging rights. The action takes place after sunset, Friday, 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., and Saturday, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
For the first time Oklahoma City University will host the eSports River Rumble Tournament, presented by Chad and Jessica Ford, on Saturday, October 5 in Devon Boathouse. The event will feature a high school tournament, A Super Smash Brothers community tournament, and retro arcade games. This event is open to the public. For more information, email OCU Professor Jeff Price at gamemaster@okcu.edu.
RIVERSPORT will also be opening one of two October haunted attractions, RIVERSCREAM laser tag on the sky trail. The RIVERSCREAM preview will be Saturday, October 5, 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m., and admission is included in the Adventure Day pass. A second haunted attraction, The Splice presented by The Sanctuary, opens Friday, October 11.
Adventure Pass Specials
The celebration continues with Oklahoma Regatta Festival pass specials at RIVERSPORT Rapids and Adventures. On Saturday, October 5, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., RIVERSPORT Day Passes (regularly $49.99) will be $29.99. Adventure Day Passes (regularly $39.99) will be $15 all-day October 5.
Parking is $10 and benefits the programs of the nonprofit OKC Boathouse Foundation.
The Oklahoma Regatta Festival is made possible through the generous support of the Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma City University, OGE, Love’s Country Stores and Travel Stops, KFOR, The Oklahoman, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, Tyler Media, Oklahoma State University, Prosperity Bank, Kimray Inc., Coca-Cola, Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, American Fidelity, Michelob Ultra, Inasmuch Foundation, Hudiburg Auto Group, AT&T, Chesapeake Energy and Don Julio.