Changes in recreation on the Yampa River are necessitating new approaches to river issues as more groups utilize the watershed for relaxation and fun. 

The annual Yampa River Festival serves as an opportunity for organizations to support these transitions while celebrating the people, sports and stakeholders that are the backbone of the river system’s advocacy group. 

The celebration, which is hosted by Friends of the Yampa (FOTY), is marking its 44th anniversary and is featuring an expansion into new locations, as well as the addition of family-friendly events. 

FOTY Program Manager Katie Berning stated that the festival started as a “big bash to celebrate the Yampa” as recreation on the waterway increased. As time went on, FOTY has sought to include more river organizations, stakeholders and other user groups in the annual event. 

The festival starts Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at The Depot Art Center with a State of the Yampa address sponsored by the Yampa-White-Green Basin Roundtable and Mountain Tap Brewery. Friends of the Yampa, the City of Craig, and The Nature Conservancy will also present updates on the river, including projects in Craig and Maybell. 

Following the presentation, two short films will be screened. The first, entitled “Dividing the Waters: How the Colorado River Compact Transformed the Southwestern Frontier,” was created by Steamboat Springs High School graduate Wren Capra. The second film, called “River Mamma,” was made by Sarah Hamilton.  

Keynote speaker Matt Moseley, author of “Soul Is Waterproof,” will speak about his career as an open-water swimmer while presenting issues that surround water, its use and its protection. 

The Adam Mayo Memorial Race will be held Friday on Fish Creek at 6 p.m. The family-sponsored event commemorates the life of Adam Mayo, who passed away in 2021. Highlighting the link between river recreation and conservation efforts, the race will feature kayakers quickly maneuvering through technical waters obstacles.

The festival’s main events will be held on Saturday at locations throughout Steamboat Springs.

Fly fishing, a longtime staple of Yampa River recreation, makes its debut in this year’s festival. Sponsored by Fishpond with support from Yampa Valley Fly Fishers, new events this year include dryland distance casting competitions, rod demos and a casting clinic. The highlight will be a fly fishing downriver race at Fetcher Park at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The race features competitors floating the river while attempting to hit targets. 

“Another huge, exciting endeavor will be adding the freshwater family zone,” Berning said. 

She noted the family-friendly area will “bring arts to the river world.” Events include a painting of a public mural by Julia Ben-Asher, crafts with Steamboat Creates, balloon artists, face painting and other events for children. 

“This is a passion project that Upper Yampa Conservancy District wanted to support and help grow in the community,” Berning added. 

A free yoga class for adults, hosted by Out Here Yoga, will occur at 9 a.m. in West Lincoln Park. 

Fetcher Pond will also host an open class downriver kayak race Saturday at 10 a.m., SUP downriver race at 12 p.m. and the Drew Hyde raft race at 1 p.m.

A pack raft race will occur at Charlie’s Hole (C-hole) at 10:30 a.m. Other Saturday events at C-hole include a raft rodeo, SUP cross (2:30 p.m.), kayak cross (3:30 p.m.), tube rodeo (4:30 p.m.), kayak rodeo (5:30 p.m.) and awards at 6:30 p.m.

The final event of the festival will be the kayak slalom, held Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Dr. Rich Weiss Park. 

Organizers are watching river flows and have back-up plans in the event bridges aren’t passable. Additionally, swiftwater certified safety volunteers will be on hand to ensure that all participants and spectators are safe. 

“Riverfest really would not be possible without the support of the City of Steamboat Springs, Routt County, our board of directors and our volunteers,” Berning said. “It truly is a community effort to pull this off.”

Berning encouraged participants to remember proper water etiquette and safety, including not entering the water while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. While this has not been an issue in past events, safety necessitates sobriety and awareness during the event.

More information on the Yampa River Festival, including opportunities to volunteer or sponsor, can be found at FriendsoftheYampa.com/yampa-river-festival/2024-yampa-river-festival/.