Down by the river
Waves of people are expected to descend upon the Boathouse District this weekend for the Stars and Stripes River Festival.
Waves of people are expected to descend upon the Oklahoma City Boathouse District this weekend for the Stars and Stripes River Festival.
Whitewater rafting competitions, dragon boat racing, rowing races and more are planned for the festival on Saturday. The mix of festivities kicks off Fourth of July themed celebrations at the district, and will conclude in fireworks.
“This is one of our largest events of the year and it’s very locally focused,” Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation Executive Director Mike Knopp said. “We do expect up to 20,000 people out here.”
The festival focuses on celebrating the river, Knopp said. Races and competitions held on the water will take center stage throughout the day.
However, other activities at the district will be available for use and Knopp expects heavy traffic from people of all ages.
“Kids and families can have fun all day long,” Knopp said.
Don’t want to get wet?
Attractions that don’t involve water include a ropes course, zip line, bike park and newly opened mountain bike skills course. Many will be open for extended hours and will occur at the same time as other parts of the festival.
“You could be ziplining over the river while dragon boat racing or other racing is going on,” Knopp said. “The thing we would emphasize to people is they can spend the whole day here.”
In order to prepare for the increase of people, Knopp said the district will have its overflow parking available, and he also points to the connectivity to Bricktown.
“We have a nice connection to Bricktown through the tunnel,” Knopp said. “People can park and walk along the Riverwalk over here.”
Extra rafting guides will be working throughout the day to help accommodate the increase in business.
Admission to the festival is free, however there is a $10 parking fee if parking at the district. Rafting and other experiences carry an additional cost, but watching competitions, participating in the Olympic Day experience and the fireworks display at the end of the night are all free.
Watching fireworks will take on a unique perspective as visitors will be allowed to float in kayaks and rafts while watching the show, Knopp said. The district also puts on a 4th of July show, but the Stars & Stripes fireworks will be launched from a different location.
For those who’ve attended in years past, Knopp said there are several additional features available. A dog park is now open for festival attendees with dogs and inflatable waterslides will be set up in addition to the newly opened bike park.